Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can happen over many months or even years before resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it effectively.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.