Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to recognize the signs so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This process can last for many months or even years before resulting in an 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 insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing 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 may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are great choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.