Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even years until it leads to a complete lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men can also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.