Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is important to understand the symptoms so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can happen over several months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They might also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able remove it correctly.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.