Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is important to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause issues 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 an autoimmune condition which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This process can last for many months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not using insulin as it 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 for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medicine 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 more at risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
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 remain high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.