Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or are unable to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or years and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks often have plenty of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.