Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when the body does not make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even for years before resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They also may need to take medication to manage 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 at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it properly.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.