Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to know the symptoms, to determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can last for several months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.