Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to know if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage the arteries 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 destruction can happen over months or even for years, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.