Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are 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 auto-immune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many years or months, eventually leading to an inability to produce insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.