Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use 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 important to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
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 aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms 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 greater chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
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 reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.