Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This process can last for months or even for years until it leads to a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
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 can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor can help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.