Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to know what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. 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 a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The destruction can take place over several months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar 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 have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.