Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or even years, eventually leading to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t use insulin 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 as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks often have high levels of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.