Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can last for many months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it effectively.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas does not 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 via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are great choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.