Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to determine the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also harm your heart arteries 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. This process can take several years or even decades, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then utilized to generate energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it in a proper manner.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar in them that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as 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, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.