Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm 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 pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even for years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able remove it properly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.