Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to know whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can occur over many months or even years until it leads to a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar 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 greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay 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 manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.