Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to know what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can last for months or even for years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy 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 assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce heart disease risk factors.
You should include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.