Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can take many years or months before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.