Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body does not make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t remove it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.