Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your 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, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also cause damage to the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even years and eventually lead to a complete lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it effectively.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like 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 low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.