Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each 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 treated and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to recognize the signs so you can tell whether you have a problem 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 occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even for years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of 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 have type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to remove it properly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can 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 stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the most appropriate medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.