Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to know 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 affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high over time. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes 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 condition and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can take months or years before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it effectively.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for 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 level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.