Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to determine what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is 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 several months or even years before resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for 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 balanced diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.