Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms so you can tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can cause issues with 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 caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The destruction can happen over many months or even years before resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out effectively.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as exercising and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.