Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body is unable to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is important to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm the coronary arteries 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 process of destruction can last for many years or months until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to eliminate it correctly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks often have plenty of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will help you pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.