Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, to determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make 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 aren’t producing enough insulin or are unable to use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for many years or months before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They also may need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.