Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or cannot use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This process can last for many months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as 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 for energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, 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, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and kidneys can’t remove it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are great choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.