Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also cause damage to the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This process can last for several months or even years and eventually lead to a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your 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, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.