Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to 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 a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even for years before resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able remove it effectively.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks often have high levels of sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.