Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to determine what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart as well as the 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 several years or even decades before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar levels within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.