Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that 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 effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or even years until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of 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 the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and the kidneys aren’t able remove it effectively.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty 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 might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks often have plenty of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.