Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to know whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over several months or even years, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your 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 as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able eliminate it in a proper manner.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might be advised to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.