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 it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It is important to be aware of the signs, so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters a day.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.