Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can identify whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or even years until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to remove it correctly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out 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 can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks often have a lot of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.