Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It is also essential to recognize the signs so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to 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 as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage 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 insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over months or years before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar in them that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as exercising and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.