Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or are unable to use it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it properly.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters a day.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain elevated 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, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.