Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
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 aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over many months or even years and eventually lead to a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make use of 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 as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces 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.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the most appropriate medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.