Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It occurs because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.