Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or are unable to use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This process can take several years or even decades, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are good choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have plenty of sugar in them which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.