Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to recognize the signs to determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This process can last for months or even for years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to remove it properly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as 4 liters a day.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, reduce your weight and heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in 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 typically contain a lot of sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will help you choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.