Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to determine what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high over time. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.