Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to recognize the signs so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or cannot use it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also cause damage to the coronary 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 pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This process can take many years or months before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out effectively.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and heart disease risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are great choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might be advised to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.