Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to determine the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can take many years or months and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable 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 with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. 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 all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to eliminate it properly.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are a good choice. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.