Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to know what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even for years and eventually lead to an absence 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 sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is utilized to generate energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor can help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.