Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or years and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the 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, such as fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, 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 developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.