Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
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 process can take months or even years, eventually leading to an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also shed weight as their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks often have lots of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.