Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time 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 an autoimmune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for many years or months and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then utilized to generate energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out properly.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also shed weight as their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.