Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It is important to recognize the signs so you can identify whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, 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.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust 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 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 which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However women are at greater 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 vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar in them which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.