Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is important to be aware of the signs, to determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for many years or months before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.