Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause issues with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even for years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control 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 and legumes are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.