Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over several years or even decades before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to remove it properly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are great choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.