Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs 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 prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can happen over many years or months, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men also may lose weight because their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.