Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to recognize the signs so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can happen over many months or even years before resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to 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 disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.