Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when the body fails to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the disease. It is important to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out effectively.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.