Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This destruction can happen over many years or months and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within the normal 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 aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.