Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and get 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 doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or even years until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick 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 levels and are beneficial 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.