Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This process can last for several months or even years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t remove it.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.