Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or are unable to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They also may need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like 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 sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.