Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even for years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able remove it properly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.