Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or years until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as 4 liters a day.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.