Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce 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 referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then utilized to generate energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out correctly.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may 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 their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.