Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to recognize the signs so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or are unable to use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They might also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it properly.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce heart disease risk factors.
You should include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medication for your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.