Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can last for many months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men can 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 elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may be advised to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have high levels of sugar in them, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.