Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to know what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or years, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it effectively.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.