Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can last for months or even for years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids 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 also may need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it effectively.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have high levels of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.