Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is important to understand the symptoms to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through 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 also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.