Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over many months or even years before resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to filter it out correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar in them, which can lead to 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, such as eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.