Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to recognize the signs so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also cause damage to 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 insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over several months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t remove it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar in them which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.