Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to know whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage the arteries in your heart 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 insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over several months or even years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it effectively.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks often have high levels of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.