Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is important to be aware of the signs, to determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can take place over several months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it properly.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.