Diabetics

Exercise is a vital part of the management of diabetes. All diabetics should aim to make exercise a part of their daily routine. Exercise can help to improve the quality of life for diabetics. But there are some safeguards to consider before you start an exercise regime. It is wise to consult your health professional before you begin. This would be true for anyone, but it is especially so for someone who suffers from diabetes.

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 usually manifests itself at an early age. It is sometimes referred to as adolescent diabetes. In Type 1 the body cannot produce enough of its own insulin. Type 2 diabetes manifests itelf later in life. In Type 2 diabetes the body fails to produce adequate levels of insulin or it becomes resistant to its own insulin.

In both types of diabetes the body is unable to process sugar properly. Blood sugar levels increase because the body cannot transport sugar to the cells where it is needed. It becomes essential to reduce blood sugar levels. This can be done by medication, by diet and by exercise.

Exercise can, therefore, be a valuable tool in diabetes management. This is true for both types of diabetes. Whether an individual has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes they can benefit from exercise.

Type 1 diabetics will benefit from exercise because it can assist in the maintainance of insulin sensitivity and increases the use of glucose by the muscles. Exercise will also help to avoid excessive weight gain. Type 1 diabetes cannot be cured, but some of the health problems associated with it can be reduced by means of exercise.

Type 2 diabetics will also benefit from exercise. Type 2 diabetes is preventable and exercise will help in its prevention. Even such a simple activity as a 30 minute walk every day can reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

To sum up: exercise will reduce blood sugar levels and help maintain insulin sensitivity. It will also improve circulation. This is important for diabetics because they are known to have circulatory problems. Diabetics often suffer from poor circulation in the legs and feet. Exercise helps to promote blood circulation. Regular exercise will also help to lower blood pressure and so reduce the risk of stroke.

There are, however, certain risks associated with exercise for diabetics. Since exercise lowers blood sugar diabetics must measure their blood sugar levels before and after exercise. The body will use more sugar during exercise and become more sensitive to insulin. Exercise can potentially result in hypoglycemia. Checking blood sugar levels will avoid this danger. With this precaution the benefits of exercise will outweigh the possible risks.

A diabetic should also take care to carry candy or fruit juice with them during exercise in case their blood sugar falls too low. They should make sure to inform the staff at the gym or their exericise partners that they are diabetic. An exericse buddy is a good idea for anyone but doubly so for a diabetic. Exercising with a friend can help maintain your motivation and for a diabetic it can help avoid the dangers of your blood sugar falling too low.

Watch out for the tell tale signs of low blood sugar level. Check your heart rate after exercise. Are you sweating abnormally, shaking, or feeling very hungry? These can all be signs of low blood sugar.

The general rule for everyone beginning exercise is to take things slowly. For diabetics this should be emphasised. Build up your routine as your level of fitness improves. Set yourself realistic goals. Begin with short sessions of gentle exercise. Gradually move on to more ambitious targets are you feel confident to do so. There is not need to push yourself to the point of exhaustion. Little and often is the best plan.

Successful incorporation of exercise into your daily routine will significantly improve your quality of life as a diabetic. It will help you manage your condition and avoid many of the health problems associated with diabetes.

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There is no current cure for diabetes although several treatments are available. Treatments include, diet plans, insulin injection, oral medication or surgery depending upon the type of diabetes. The proper management of treatments for diabetes helps diabetics maintain a normal way of life.

Diabetes has three specific types: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.  

Is there a possible cure for diabetes type 1?

In type 1 diabetes, the islet cells of the pancreas in charge of producing insulin is being destroyed by the immune system of the body. Hence, the production of insulin by the pancreas is affected or the pancreas no longer produces insulin. The cause is still unidentified but this is often attributed to viral infections or disorder in the genes.

This is treated by a daily dose of insulin injection, an insulin pump or the insulin jet system. Oral medication as a treatment for type 1 diabetes is not applicable since it still has to pass the digestive system before it can take effect in the blood.

The currently suggested cure for type 1 diabetes are pancreas transplant, islet cell transplantation or stem cell transplant. Individuals who have undergone these surgical treatments as part of clinical tests, are still under evaluation for possible re-development of immunity rejection and its ability to maintain adequate number of insulin cells that can meet insulin requirements as well as keep new cells alive.

Other new treatments like synthetic human insulin, insulin analogs, genetic manipulation,  BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine, gastric bypass surgery and computerized artificial pancreas are still undergoing human clinical trials and study, in the hopes of finally determining if there is a cure for diabetes.

The drug BCG is said to have been tried and tested for 80 years now. Hence, if human clinical tests can prove this drug to be successful, the availability of a cheap generic drug to administer is possible.

Is there a possible cure for diabetes type 2?

Majority of diabetics are suffering from type 2 diabetes. This is due to insulin resistance of the body brought about by the inability of the cells to react to insulin or the production of insulin is not sufficient to control the blood glucose.

This is familiar among older people, obese individuals or persons with weight problems, due to their physical inactivity. Treatment initially requires diet control, exercise and oral medication to avoid progression into becoming type 1 diabetes. In the event that it does progress, treatment will then require insulin injection.

Similarly, there is also no cure for type 2 diabetes, hence, proper management of its treatments is necessary to avoid the progression of the disease.   

This type of diabetes may also crop up in pregnant women known as gestational diabetes and may take place in the last months of pregnancy. Although considered as not life-threatening and may disappear after giving birth, the mother is already deemed prone to type 2 diabetes.

Once an individual becomes afflicted with diabetes mellitus, it will become a part of his or her life and can even be a cause of death. Adequate knowledge in managing this disease can help the patient live longer.

Management includes lifestyle change, nutrition plan, physical activity and having a diabetes team to supervise the daily medications and monitoring. Other than the doctor, nurse, dietitian and healthcare professional, one should include a diabetes educator as part of the diabetes team. The diabetes educator will be responsible for the psychological needs of the patient and in providing assistance for some of the clinical requirements.

In as much as the elusive cure for diabetes is still undergoing further researches and clinical tests, management of the diseases is still the best way for the diabetic sufferers.

Those who are not yet afflicted with diabetes but are engaged in a lifestyle that may develop their body system into becoming one, it is best for them to consider the necessary changes in their way of eating and living to prevent diabetes from having control over their lives.

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and diabetes natural treatment. Discover how you can reverse your diabetes for good using proven and effective home remedies, all without using harmful medications or drugs. Visit his site now at http://www.minusdiabetes.com

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If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, the doctor advised that you must change your diet and to start a program of regular exercise. Your doctor may have made you an appointment with a nutritionist. You will be able to get a dietician and diabetic recipes out off the internet.

Diabetics are at increased risk of heart disease and problems in the flow of blood in the legs. They have to follow a healthy diet low in fat and a diet that also helps control the level of blood sugar.

So what can you do to manage their diabetes, and to be healthy?

The Diabetes organization has developed a healthy eating food pyramid as a guide to healthy eating for diabetics. They recommend eating: —

1. 6-11 portion of grains and starches per day – bread, pasta, rice, cereals, dried beans and starchy vegetables like potatoes.

2. A minimum of 3-5 servings of vegetables a day – look for vegetable recipes and diabetic recipes using vegetables.

3. 2-4 servings of fruit a day.

4. 2-3 servings of low fat or no fat milk.

5. 4-6 ounces (about 112-168g) of meat and meat substitutes, per day – This should be shared between meals and not eat at a meal. Visible fat should be trimmed off meat should be cooked and healthy – grilled, baked or grilled instead of fried. Meat alternate are cheese, cottage cheese, nut butters, dried beans, eggs and tofu.

6. The smaller group is alcohol, fats and sweets that need to be limited. Alcohol and sweets should only be consumed as treats in small portions. Use recipes low fat and non fat or low fat products.

Other suggestions for diabetics are: —

– Look for specific diabetic recipes to help you follow a healthy diet for your situation.

– Eating the same amount of food at the same time every day – eat regularly to control their level of blood sugar.

– Add starchy foods such as dried beans and bean soups and casseroles to increase their intake of starch. Look out for diabetic recipes that use these starchy foods, because it will have a positive effect on the level of blood sugar.

– Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables for soluble fiber helps reduce the absorption of glucose in the intestine.

– Control your weight – This is particularly important for type 2 diabetes because extra body fat causes the body to have difficulty making and using insulin. Look for diabetics and healthy recipes low fat recipes to help you lose weight and weight control. If you lose a few pounds, you may even be able to reduce medication.

– Control your intake of carbohydrates in meals by carbohydrate count. Your medical professional will be able to advise you on how you need many carbohydrates in each meal, based on their level of exercise and medication.

– Follow a diet low in fat – Diabetics are at a greater risk of heart disease so try to limit your fat intake below 30% of their total daily calorie intake.

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Laughter is proved to be a priceless medicine for diabetic patients to perk up their levels of cholesterol and possibly inferior their risk of heart attack.

Many experts has carried out the research on people with diabetes and found that laughter could have actual heart benefits for such patients.

The research study drawn in the investigators, 20 men and women, all type 2 diabetes patients who have also been taking set medication for high blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease. The participants have been assigned to two groups:

1) Control group (group C), and

2) Laughter group (group L).

The average age of participants was 50 years old. In the research, diabetics in group L were asked to self-select a funny video to watch for at least 30 minutes a day. Self-selected humor meant that the participants in laughter group could choose on their own whatever they contemplation would make them laugh from TV shows, sitcoms and funny movies. The group L patients got into it and were faithful to the minimum exposure to humor time of half an hour on a daily basis for a period of one year.

After a year follow-up, the experts evaluated the patients in both groups by tests such as measuring cholesterol levels, levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of tenderness thought to be linked to cardiovascular disease. Experts concluded that HDL cholesterol levels (the good kind) had increased by 28 per cent in the laughter group patients, but only by 5 per cent in the control group.

The expert clinicians recognize that there is an intrinsic physiological involvement brought on by positive emotions like jovial laughter.

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