Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to know the symptoms, to determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to get rid of it properly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar in them that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.