Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t 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’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to determine what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or years, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women 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 the kidneys aren’t able remove it correctly.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.