Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over several years or even decades until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to maintain their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin 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 for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then 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 amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.