Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high over time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also damage 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 the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every 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 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t remove it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.