Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to know the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over many months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each 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 within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies 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
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks often have plenty of sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.