Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over several months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes 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 experience complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t remove it.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are great choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.