Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of 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 the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to 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. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is 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 months or years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended 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 manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including 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 may also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.