Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This process can take many years or months before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.