Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to know whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years, eventually leading to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it effectively.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower heart disease risk factors.
You should include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.