Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can occur over several months or even years until it leads to a complete lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels 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 to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it effectively.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.