Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is important to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.