Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
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 levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.