Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to determine the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
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 the absence of insulin completely.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, up to 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 stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have high levels of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.