Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to determine the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can take place over many months or even years and eventually lead to a complete lack of 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 levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. 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 to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks often have high levels of sugar in them that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like 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 can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.