Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also crucial to know the symptoms, so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use 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 don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This process can take months or even years until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way 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 to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it correctly.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will help you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.