Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also crucial to know the symptoms, so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for many years or months until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks often have lots of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.