Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
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. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications 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. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since 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 prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.