Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether 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 the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also harm your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or years, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then utilized to generate energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able remove it in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.