Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can identify whether there is 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 your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or years and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four 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 the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. 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 like fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks often have a lot of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.