Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over several months or even years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it in a proper manner.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes 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 food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks often have lots of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.