Diabetes is on the rise. Nearly all the new cases are
Type 2 Diabetes, or adult-onset, the kind that moves in around middle age. Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that over 80% of people with type 2 diabetes are clinically overweight. In fact, in our times, the widening waistband which is hugely due to the trending lifestyle towards more desk bound and inactivity of majority of the population in America and other developed countries has been the contributing factor to this rising figures. Actually, by statistics, it was revealed that in the 1990s alone, while obesity increased by 61% but those people diagnosed with diabetes were up by 49%!
Although the causes of type 2 diabetes are complex and not completely understood yet, extensive researches and clinical diagnosis have discovered new clues at a rapid pace about this disease which is well known to bring in other illnesses through its complications. One key factor which leads to diabetes is largely because of the prolonged unhealthy lifestyle in the daily living patterns of these patients. Thus, when this organ, the pancreas has malfunctioned to supply sufficient insulin or our body has become incapable in the using of insulin properly although being adequately produced, in both cases, a higher than acceptable level of sugar remains in our blood system which gives rise to a medical condition called type 2 diabetes.
Based on many studies and experiments carried out by medical scientists, medical doctors and researchers, it has been discovered that inactivity -the lack of minimal physical activities and obesity have brought about insulin resistance in our body. This congruent agreement has pointed out the importance of exercising and weight control in providing the benefits in the controlling of type 2 diabetes. In fact, it has been truly stated that one of the most undemanding and the most workable ways to reduce blood sugar amount, eliminate the dangers of "cardiovascular disease," and perk up health and welfare in general is by exercising. Health experts have always regarded exercising as being one of the easiest ways to start controlling diabetes. There have been proven records showing improved insulin sensitivity and regulated weight loss as well as regulated blood sugar level. Hence, for these reasons, health experts always encourage those who already have type 2 diabetes to start employing the wonders that exercise can do for them. Without exercise, people have the tendency to become obese. Once they are obese, they have bigger chances of accumulating type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is high time that people, whether inflicted with type 2 diabetes or not, should start doing those jumping and stretching activities.
While exercising has been widely recommended and encouraged, there are a few precautions to go through before any patient can really savor the benefits of exercise to his condition. The following checklist of precautions has to be consulted with health care providers so that a safe level of exercise program can be devised and implemented for maximal effectiveness of controlling the blood sugar level in the body system.
1)Before following any exercising program, consultation with your health care provider is necessary especially if you have cardiac risk factors because a stress test may be needed in order to establish a safe level of exercise for you.
2)Certain diabetic complications will also dictate what type of exercise program you can take on. Activities like weightlifting, jogging, or high-impact aerobics can possibly pose a risk for people with diabetic retinopathy due to the risk for further blood vessel damage and possible retinal detachment.
3)Even if you are already active in sports or work out regularly, it will still benefit you to discuss your regular exercise routine with your family doctor. Take for instance, if you are taking insulin, you may need to take special precautions to prevent hypoglycemia-low sugar condition during your workout.
Then, after one or two sessions of consultations with your family doctors or health care providers, all you need to do is the willingness and the determination to start exercising for a healthier, type 2 diabetes-free life. Indeed, you do not have to waste too many expenses on costly "health club memberships," or the most up-to-date health device to start pumping those fats out. Very often, all you need is a good pair of well-fitting, supportive shoes but it is important to take precautionary measures for exercise involving the feet for many patients with diabetes. For example, the use of silica gel or air mid- soles as well as polyester or blend (cotton-polyester) socks to prevent blisters and keep the feet dry is important for minimizing trauma to the feet.
Start Slow
Physical activities are well known and often recommended by health care personnel for better management of diabetes if a person already has diabetes. The benefits of appropriate physical activities or exercise are basically improving the sensitivity of insulin, thereby decreasing the resistance of insulin. Hence, a register of acceptable blood sugar level. In fact, a few studies have also indicated that these physical activities increase the insulin receptors in the red blood cells. In other words, through the more effective use of insulin in its proper manner, the blood sugar can be better controlled which then effectively reduces such risk of developing diabetic complications.
There are different forms of physical activities which are commonly and easily taken up by diabetes patients. Walking is perhaps one of the most popular and widely recommended forms of physical activity for people with diabetes. Your walking exercise routine can be as simple as a brisk nightly neighborhood walk. Similarly, you may prefer to walk the dog or get out in the yard. Another form of walking may be to take the stairs instead of the elevator. In addition, you may do walking during your lunch break and do jumping jacks during commercials. Walking on a treadmill may be considered as a daily workout routine which can be easily and conveniently done at home.
Another alternative exercise to take up is aerobic exercise which may be too rigorous for some people. Aerobic exercise is proving to have significant and particular benefits for people with type 2 diabetes. This form of physical exercise not only helps to improve insulin resistance but also greatly reduce the chances of other complications such as stress & moodiness(because during exercise, it is normally fun and feeling good), high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other cardiovascular diseases as well as obesity.
Of course, beside the above mentioned exercises, other forms of physical activities such as running, jogging, mountain biking, swimming and playing games are merely different kinds of choices dependent on individual preference and doctors' recommendation. Undoubtedly, these physical activities in whatever form shall bring about improved quality of lives for the
type 2 diabetes patients. For more related information on diabetes and other health issues, it is recommended to visit
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