Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This process can take several years or even decades and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They also may need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range 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 need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks often have a lot of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.