Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your 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. The process of destruction can last for months or years before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it correctly.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and heart disease risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with changes in lifestyle, like eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce 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.