Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or aren’t able to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can happen over many years or months until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.