Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each 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 is treatable and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to recognize the signs so you can identify whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can take many years or months until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar in them which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.