Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to know the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the coronary arteries and brain.
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 destruction can happen over several months or even years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed by one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.