Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can take months or even 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 insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able remove it correctly.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks often have lots of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower 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 injection forms.