Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even for years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and exercise. They also may need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might consider limiting your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.