Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it does have 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 the symptoms to determine what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can take months or years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, 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 their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks often have lots of sugar in them that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.