Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or cannot use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t 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 can be utilized to generate energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.