Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or even years until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out properly.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.