Living with Diabetes

  •  Exercise
Exercise is the second item in the non pharmaceutical prescription for people with diabetes , regular daily moderate exercise has so many benefits for people with diabetes , the benefits of exercise are much beyond just burning calories and reduce weight , the exercise needed to do a significant reduction in weight may be often hard to achieve , however as just mentioned we should consider the reduction as only one goal for the exercise among dozens of other very important goals , Exercise not only burns calories, which can in turn leads to weight reduction, but it also can improve the body's response insulin especially with persons having type 2 diabetes and are also having hyperinsulinaemia ( excess insulin ) and insulin resistance which means that the body is resisting the actions of insulin . so a regular exercise program can make oral diabetes medications and insulin more effective and can help control blood glucose levels.

Since this state of insulin resistance is definitely have a big role in the development of cardiovascular complications among diabetics , so it is expected that exercise could also reduces some risk factors for heart disease. A regular exercise program can lower blood cholesterol levels and increase production of a HDL-cholesterol which is the good and protective type of cholesterol as it could protects against heart disease. This then decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke. A regular exercise program can also lower blood pressure and reduce the need for antihypertensive drugs or at least minimizing the doses of such drugs , exercise also improve the psychogenic status and promote overall well-being.

However , exercise could be a double weapon if not handled in the proper way , people with diabetes especially type 2 are at high risk of getting heart attacks , so sudden vigorous exercise could by itself precipitate heart attacks in those persons , so people with diabetes especially those with high risk factors should be thoroughly assessed before doing any exercise and their doctor should advice them to the proper excise program and how much exercise is safe for an individual , not only that but persons with diabetic complications especially those with diabetic retinopathy 

Walking is very nice exercise, especially for those persons with sedentary life , it is very easy and usually convenient to walk . A person can start off walking for 15 or 20 minutes, three or four times a week and gradually increase the speed or distance of the walks. The purpose of a good exercise program is to find an enjoyable activity and do it regularly. regular daily moderate or even light exercise is certainly much better than doing vigorous s exercise for few months and then stop. People taking oral drugs or insulin need to remember that vigorous exercise can cause very dangerous hypoglycemia which could threats their life and so they should carry a food or drink high in sugar for any alarming symptom or sign of hypoglycemia like hunger, nervousness, shakiness, weakness, sweating, headache, and blurred vision. As a precaution, a person with diabetes should wear an identification bracelet or necklace to alert a stranger that he is diabetic and may need special medical help in an emergency.

A doctor may advise someone with high blood pressure or other complications to avoid exercises that raise blood pressure. For example, lifting heavy objects and exercises that strain the upper body can end up raising blood pressure and hence increasing the risk of heart disease.

People with diabetes who have lost sensitivity in their feet also can enjoy exercise. They must, however, choose shoes carefully and check their feet regularly for breaks in skin that could lead to infection. Swimming or bicycling can be easier on the feet than running.

So in conclusion , the benefits exercise are :

  • Burns calories enhance weight reduction
  • Improves the insulin sensitivity and overcome insulin resistance .
  • Lower blood cholesterol and Increases production of HDL ( protective type )
  • Reduces risk factors for heart disease
  • Could lower high blood pressure and decrease the need for antihypertensive

Golden Rules in Exercise :

  • Start slowly
  • Be consistent , do regular daily exercise for life
  • Light or better moderate exercise , avoid vigorous exercise
  • Exercise should suit your conditions , should be decided by your doctor


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