Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can identify whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to control 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. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t remove it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.