Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. 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 the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even for years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
The men may also lose weight because their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.