Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell the signs of 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 isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can last for several months or even years before resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able remove it properly.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough 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 via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also shed weight as their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and heart disease risk factors.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are great choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks often have plenty of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.