Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years before resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.