Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to know the symptoms, to determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. 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 lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over several months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They might also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 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 due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have lots of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.