Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over several months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust the 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 does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the 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 and legumes are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.