Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is important to understand the symptoms so you can identify whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as 4 liters a day.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are good choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as 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 chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.