Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many years or months until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot 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 the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are good choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.