Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to determine what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can lead to issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This process can take several years or even decades, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.