Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for many years or months and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.