Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over many years or months and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to maintain their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t use insulin the way it 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 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out properly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks often have plenty of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.