Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage 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 more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able remove it effectively.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks often have a lot of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.