Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also important to understand the symptoms to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades, eventually leading to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of 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 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are great choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.