Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the disease. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This destruction can happen over months or years until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men can also lose weight because their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.