Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to know if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can happen over many years or months, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is utilized to generate energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.