Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to recognize the signs so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or years, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
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 such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.