Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or even years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin 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 as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and kidneys can’t remove it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.