Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high over 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 a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This process can last for many months or even years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They also may need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to eliminate it in a proper manner.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. 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 from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to select the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.