Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to 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. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or are unable to use it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This destruction can happen over many years or months and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races, ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through 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 may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might consider limiting your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon 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’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.