Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can last for several months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out in a proper manner.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control 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 beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.