Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This process can last for many months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin 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.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate 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 who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it effectively.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing 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 (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.