Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can take months or years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar in them which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.