Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious 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.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This process can take months or even years before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.