Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the disease. It is also important to know the symptoms, 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 your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over many months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack 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 levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way 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 as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it correctly.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have high levels of sugar in them, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.