Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to understand the symptoms to determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over many months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and kidneys can’t remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate 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 these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range 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 be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.