Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to know if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries 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. This destruction can happen over months or years until it eventually leads to the total absence of 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 an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it in a proper manner.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters a day.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are good choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.