Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or even years before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable 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 in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.