Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can identify whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This destruction can happen over many years or months until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.