Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your 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 take months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every 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 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 to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks often have plenty of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to choose the most appropriate medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.