Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, to determine if there is a problem 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 occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can last for many months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their 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 is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to remove it correctly.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.