Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t remove it.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle 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
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as 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 drinks you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also help with weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.