Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the progression of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This process can last for several months or even years before resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.