Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many years or months until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it correctly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for 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 then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.