Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to be aware of the signs, to determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can take many years or months and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. 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 properly.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men also may lose weight because their bodies make use of muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor can help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.