Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are good choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.