Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can last for months or even years before resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food 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 hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to remove it properly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
The men may also shed weight as their bodies utilize muscles 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
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.