Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is important to recognize the signs to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many years or months, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not using 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 is utilized to generate energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and the kidneys aren’t able remove it in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar in them that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
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 work with you to select the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.