Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to use it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over many months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it properly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
Men can also lose weight because their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication for your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including 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 reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.