Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to coronary 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. The destruction can take place over several months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps 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 need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They might also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed by one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.