Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It is important to understand the symptoms so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or are unable to use it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high over time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also harm the arteries in your heart 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. This process can last for months or even years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes 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 levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to get rid of it properly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.