Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the disease. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause issues with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels 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 in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat 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 disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, like physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will help you choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.