Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also essential to recognize the signs so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys 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 disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This process can last for months or even for years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help 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 will assist you to determine the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.