Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, so you can identify whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters a day.
The men may also lose weight because their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.