Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to determine the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many years or months and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able remove it correctly.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes 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 amounts of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks often have high levels of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to choose the most appropriate medicine for your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.