Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to know the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over months or even years before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it properly.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies rely on muscles 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 diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.