Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to determine the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm the 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 insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over months or years and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from 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.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since 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 extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. 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 for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.