Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or years before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to get rid of it effectively.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.