Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It occurs when the body is unable to make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to determine if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
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. The process of destruction can last for many years or months until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnicities as well as ages and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it effectively.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.