Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease 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 have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or even years and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need 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 as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough 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 frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be a key part 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.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.