Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or are unable to use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can take months or years before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a 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 hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters a day.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.