Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or are unable to use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the arteries 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 destruction can take place over many months or even years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks often have high levels of sugar in them that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to select the most appropriate medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.