Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to recognize the signs so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This destruction can happen over months or years and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it properly.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as 4 liters a day.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged 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 control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are great choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.