Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to understand the symptoms to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They might also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to get rid of it effectively.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.