Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It is also important to understand the symptoms to determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called 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, blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your 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. This destruction can happen over months or years and eventually lead to the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it effectively.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as 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 also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may be advised to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.