Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys 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 the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This process can take months or even years, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it effectively.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medicine, 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 medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.