Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to know what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
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 their bodies cannot use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This process can last for months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out properly.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the most appropriate medicine 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 have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.