Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people 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 aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It is important to recognize the signs so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years and eventually lead to a complete lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it effectively.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition where cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.