Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It is important to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or are unable to use it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to maintain their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out in a proper manner.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.