Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, so you can determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels 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 cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be utilized to generate energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.