Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to recognize the signs so you can identify whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can take many years or months until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able remove it properly.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies make use of muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including 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 reducing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.