Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This process can last for months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of 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 using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
Men can 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 long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.