Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is important to recognize the signs to determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can happen over many months or even years before resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters a day.
Men also may lose weight because their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks often have high levels of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.