Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high over time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove 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 follow a healthy diet. They might also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.