Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can identify if there is 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 happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to filter it out correctly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens 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 in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.