Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to know whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition 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 efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes 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 insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This process can last for months or even years before resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may 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 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, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.