Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high over time. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust 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 isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are 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 manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.