Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to know what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the 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.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as 4 liters a 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 remain high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are good choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.