Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys 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 the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This process can take months or years before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar levels within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They might also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.