Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is important to recognize the signs so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it properly.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.