Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is important to know the symptoms, so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can take place over many years or months until it eventually leads to an inability to produce 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 levels of activity to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys can’t remove it.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.