Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell what’s 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 occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can take several years or even decades before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. 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, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it correctly.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because 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 long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.