Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
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. This destruction can happen over many years or months and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance 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 need to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.