Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also harm your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can happen over several months or even years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not utilize insulin in 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 must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.