Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is also important to be aware of the signs, to determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even for years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.