Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is important to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also harm the coronary 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. The destruction can take place over many years or months until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks often have high levels of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.