Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This process can last for several months or even years until it leads to a complete lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it 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 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.