Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to know if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. 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 a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even for years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to maintain their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which 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 should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
The men may also shed weight as their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medication 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 have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.