Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
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 correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to 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 within the pancreas. This process can take several years or even decades, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose 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 assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it in a proper manner.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.