Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over many years or months before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.