Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the progression of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it correctly.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar in them, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.