Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the disease. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or even years before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They might also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
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 may consider limiting your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.