Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is important to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
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. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way it 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 for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.