Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is important to recognize the signs to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it leads to a complete lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are a good choice. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.