Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce 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 be aware of the signs, so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
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.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They might also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and kidneys can’t remove it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for extended 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, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have high levels of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.