Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to determine if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or even years before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. Women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men may 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 remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.