Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is important to know the symptoms, to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that aids 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 aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your 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. The destruction can take place over months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require 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 in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. 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 as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters a day.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.