Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also crucial to recognize the signs so you can identify whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or can’t 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 do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or years, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust 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 utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at 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 frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it properly.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also shed weight as their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar in them that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.