Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even for years before resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to maintain their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies use 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 a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.