Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes 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 include plenty of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.