Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out correctly.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain 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 you control blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are great choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.