Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It is also essential to recognize the signs to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. 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 pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can happen over several months or even years and eventually lead to a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then utilized to generate energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
The men may also lose weight because their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.