Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body does not make enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This process can take many years or months until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not functioning as insulin 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 to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as 4 liters a day.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.