Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to determine what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many years or months until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to remove it effectively.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are good choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.