Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell if 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 your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or cannot use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also harm the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can happen over several months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it correctly.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.