Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many years or months before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin 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 doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it in a proper manner.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.