Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or are unable to use it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able remove it in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower heart disease risk factors.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are great choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.