Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over several years or even decades until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to filter it out effectively.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.