Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or years until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They might also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide 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 injectable and tablet forms.