Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is important to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can cause problems in 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 disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or years, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be utilized to generate energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower heart disease risk factors.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.