Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to know if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over several months or even years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities 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 commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
The men may also shed weight as their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.