Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or aren’t able to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is 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 for years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out effectively.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain lots 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 an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.