Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage 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 the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it effectively.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor can help you determine the most appropriate medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.