Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently 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 correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable 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 that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition where cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.