Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or cannot use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t producing 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 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able remove it properly.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medicine for your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including 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 reducing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.