Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
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 don’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over many years or months before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks often have a lot of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.