Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
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. This destruction can occur over many months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks often have lots of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.