Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to know if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even for years before resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out correctly.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.