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 when it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can happen over many months or even years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They also may need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men also may lose weight because their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.