Monday, 02 November 2009

The Bitter Sweet Disease

It's got a lot to do with sugar, but there is nothing sweet about it.

Diabetes is a serious disease that leads to potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation. It is a silent, progressive illness that sneaks up on individuals over the years, and is a leading cause of death across the world.

Chances are that someone you know and love is suffering from diabetes.

It's time to take massive action to combat diabetes. It is our responsibility to take a bold, preventive approach. In recent years, the American Diabetes Association reports that:

• 24 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes
• 57 million Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes
• 1 out of every 3 children born today will face a future with diabetes if current trends continue.

What is Diabetes?

There are 2 main types of diabetes. 

• Type 1: Results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that allows the body to breakdown and use sugar as energy. About 5-10% of Americans with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

• Type 2: Results from insulin resistance (where the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Most individuals with diabetes fall in this category. This is often associated with lack of exercise, obesity and a high carbohydrate diet.

The Warning Signs

Since the symptoms of diabetes are not obvious, the disease can go unnoticed for many years. The early detection of diabetes and its treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.

Some symptoms include:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision

When Exercise Hits The Sweet Spot....

According to Diabetes Australia, "Regular exercise is an important part of your diabetes management. If you are on insulin, it will help your insulin to work more efficiently and assist with your blood glucose control."

Treatment of Diabetes is a combination of diet and exercise:

• >Diet: a well-balanced diet that is high in fiber, low in saturated fat, and low in concentrated sweets with a consistent number of calories will help control blood sugar (calorie control and treatment of obesity is critical in the battle against diabetes).
• >Exercise: Regular exercise can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes and improving blood sugar control in people with diabetes. It can also reduce the risk of developing associated complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, skin disorders, neuropathy/nerve damage, depression, foot problems and leg ulcers. Consult us, your primary health care providers before beginning an exercise program.

Exercise includes being physically active. It includes anything from walking outside, to dancing, to going for a bike ride, or even swimming.

Here are the top 10 benefits of being active:

1. Improve glucose levels (especially for those with type-2 diabetes)
2. Decrease use of diabetes medications, by lowering your blood glucose
3. Reduce body fat
4. Improve cardiovascular system (have a healthier heart)
5. Promote stress reduction
6. Increase your strength and ability to move
7. Improve balance and decrease fall risk
8. Reduce blood pressure
9. Improve carbohydrate metabolism and lose weight (which helps your blood glucose levels)
10. Improve well-being and diabetes control

Always exercise under supervision. Call us today to find out how to lower your diabetes with a proper exercise plan and reduce the risk of complications of diabetes. With the right advice, the battle against diabetes can be less bitter, and more sweet.