Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is important to know the symptoms, to determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or years, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
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 activities to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it in a proper manner.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition where cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar in them, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.