Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to recognize the signs so you can determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. 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 can become too high in time. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can occur over several months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and exercise. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.