Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the progression of the disease. It is also essential to understand the symptoms so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many months or even years, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.