Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It is also important to recognize the signs so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce 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 lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over many years or months before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from 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 result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters daily.
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 levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.