Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms to determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also harm your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades, eventually leading to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make insulin as 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 for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar 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) as energy source. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies make use of muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are usually combined with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.