Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or even years before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out correctly.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.