Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over many years or months before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men also may lose weight because their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than 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 an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.