Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is also crucial to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is 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 months or even years before resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people 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 exercise to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. 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 need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and exercise. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnicities as well as ages and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
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, manage your weight, and lower heart disease risk factors.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.