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 when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over several months or even years before resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it correctly.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.