Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar in 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 hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it in a proper manner.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
Men can 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 high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.