Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out properly.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks often have lots of sugar in them, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes in lifestyle, like eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.