Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the disease. It is also important to understand the symptoms to determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over many months or even years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it correctly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men can also lose weight because their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to 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 assist you choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.