Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body is unable to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to determine what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or are unable to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone 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 need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate 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 need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks often have lots of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.