Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It is important to be aware of the signs, so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high over time. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over many years or months and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.