Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
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 aren’t able to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. 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 to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks often have high levels of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.