Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to recognize the signs so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. 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 pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even for years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of 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 have type 2 diabetes the body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnicities as well as ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it in a proper manner.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks often have a lot of sugar in them that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you to choose the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.