Can Exercise Help with Diabetes?

Exercise is always a helpful option to take. There are more benefits and almost negligible demerits of regular exercise. For diabetic patients, exercise restores the body chemistry that has gone haywire.

A) Firstly, exercise helps reduce body fat and consequently excess body weight which helps the pancreatic overload that causes diabetes.

B) Secondly, exercise also increases the heart’s power, lowering risk to heart diseases in cases where not already present. (Consult Physician)

What Type of Exercise Helps Diabetes?

Most people believe in aerobics or dynamic exercises to help in diabetes. But recent studies have shown that resistance exercises and weight training also equally help in controlling blood sugar levels. Exercises are of course by no means a curative measure. Most people start exercising after they have been diagnosed with diabetes. Exercises serve a better preventive measure when done correctly.

Usual exercises that help include – brisk walking, jogging, swimming, rowing, aerobics, cycling depending on the person’s suitability. These should be regular more than intense and should be accompanied by proper warm up and cooling down schedules.

For diabetic patients, consulting physicians is a must before any exercise. Usually diabetes is accompanied by other diseases such as heart diseases, hypertension etc. Ensure the approval of your doctor before you start exercising.
Precautions:

Diabetes is a sensitive condition and patients should be aware of their body reactions to certain things.
- Care for your feet properly as they become sensitive due to diabetes.
- Carry plenty of water and snacks while exercising.
- Be identifiable in case emergency arises. Quick help often solves grave problems. You may consider carrying a note with you which indicates your severe condition. Diabetic condition leads to quick unconsciousness.
- Do not step out of your boundaries defined by your doctor.

Article Author: R. Ashok Kumar

A vicious circle is in operation and we have no idea of how devastating the outcome will be. In the past it was easy to diagnose a child with juvenile onset or type 1 diabetes. This child typically presented with weight loss, dehydration and thirst. Now there is a new picture; obesity has spread to younger children and there is a much higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes than ever before.

A recent report stated:

one child in four, born in the year 2000 will end up being diagnosed with this condition
nearly one child in ten with diabetes now has type 2
twenty years ago this condition was unheard of in young children or adolescents
we do not yet realize the damaging effects of childhood obesity
this could mean the complications now seen in mature people, will be seen in young adults and lead to a lower-life expectancy

Add to that the difficulty these children will experience with their peers:

obesity is a burden for a child, even without diabetes
maintaining high self esteem can be very difficult for overweight children
in adolescent years attractiveness equates with body shape and intelligence

The younger a person is at the time of diagnosis, the more likely they are to develop devastating complications during their lifetime. They could develop:

blindness
kidney failure
a higher rate of heart disease than older adults with type 2

The cycle continues as babies born to young women with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of inheriting the same.

Just as in adults, this condition in young people takes several years to develop. Children:

are usually overweight or obese
have a strong family history of diabetes
are likely to have acanthosis nigricans, a velvety darkening of the skin especially around the neck and under the arms. This is a due to insulin resistance
girls are more likely to have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
if still studying, often lack the ability to concentrate so have poor grades
suffer from fatigue
often only have a mild increase in thirst and urination

How is this treated?

Once diagnosed by your health care provider, managing young people with type 2 diabetes is a family affair. A healthy eating plan and lifestyle changes the whole family can join in, is often suggested. The best news is these changes are great for everyone’s health.

The aim is to:

normalize blood sugar levels
reduce blood fats
prevent the development of complications

Type 2 diabetes can be managed successfully through a combination of regular physical activity, a healthy eating plan and sometimes medication.