Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems 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 autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can take months or years before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able eliminate it in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.