Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It is important to know the symptoms, so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out effectively.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are good choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.