Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to 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 the eyes, feet and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This process can last for many months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out in a proper manner.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters a day.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay elevated 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, manage your weight, and lower heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks often have lots of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.