Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can determine whether there is a problem 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 happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and 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 process can take many years or months until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it correctly.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.