Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is important to understand the symptoms so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or cannot use it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or years before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.