Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the 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 the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The destruction can take place over many months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races, ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters a day.
Men can also shed weight as their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are great choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might be advised to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.