Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to know the symptoms, so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as 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 medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.