Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to understand the symptoms to determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even years, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities as well as ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out properly.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar in them that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate 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, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.