Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also harm the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even for years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is utilized to generate energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men also may lose weight because their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have high levels of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.