Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to know the symptoms, to determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This process can take months or even years, eventually leading to the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have lots of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.