Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can identify whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks often have plenty of sugar in them that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.