Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This process can last for months or even years and eventually lead to a complete lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.