Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to 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 utilize it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or even years until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within the healthy 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 aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower heart disease risk factors.
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 want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.