Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body does not make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or years before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it effectively.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
The men may also lose weight because their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might consider limiting your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.