Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to make enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to understand the symptoms to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle 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 with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar in them 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 the normal range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, 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, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.