Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This process can take many years or months, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.