Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every 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 avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or years and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is utilized to generate energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from 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 properly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medication to meet 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 have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.