Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or years and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.