Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body is unable to make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the disease. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
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. This destruction can happen over many years or months before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnicities as well as ages and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.