Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to know if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart 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, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it properly.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.