November is American Diabetes Month Regardless of which type of diabetes, (TYPE I or TYPE II), it has been shown that exercise: …
November 2008 News Flash
November is American Diabetes Month
November is American Diabetes Month and the ADA American Diabetes
Association will be conducting a variety of activities and events to raise
awareness of diabetes and the serious complications that can occur
For the diabetic patient, exercise is a necessity because it plays a major
role in the management and prevention of complications
Regardless of which type of diabetes, TYPE I or TYPE II, it has been
shown that exercise:
improves general quality of life
improves glucose control
improves insulin sensitivity
improves metabolic control
reduces risk factors
EXERCISE PREVENTION
In a study that observed 7,000 men, researchers found that:
the most sedentary men developed diabetes at a rate of 74 per 1,000
over a six year period
the most active men developed diabetes at a rate of 34 per 1,000
As the level of physical activity increased, the incidence of
diabetes
decreased
COMPLICATIONS:
It is estimated that 60 to 70 of diabetics develop one or more
complications Onset
and severity of complication due to:
degree of blood sugar control
how long theyve had diabetes
EXERCISE: helps manage complications
can reverse complications, or
slows down development
each complication presents different precautions
RETINOPATHY:
Damage to small blood vessels in back of eye
Several stages mild to proliferative
Precaution: AVOID ANY ACTIVITY THAT RAISES BLOOD PRESSURE
ENOUGH TO RUPTURE BLOOD VESSELS IN BACK OF EYE
AVOID head below heart:
sit-ups
touching toes
AVOID heavy weight lifting
If Proliferative most serious, get treatment
before
exercising
HEART DISEASE:
Diabetics are 2 to 12 times as likely to develop heart disease
Exercise can reduce risk of heart disease by as much as 50
Suggestion: New research shows diabetics need only ACCUMULATE
30 minutes of activity/day
Dont try to make up for
20 years inactivity in
two
weeks
Any activity is better than none
The important thing is to get started
NEUROPATHY:
Chronic complication that damages nerves
Affects 60 -70 of both Type I and Type II
Affects many different parts of body
Most common: PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY:
Feet
Hands
Legs
Symptoms: Pain NUMBNESS TINGLING
Feet usually affected first
Pain worse @ night in bed
Exercise cant reverse neuropathy BUT one study showed exercise MAY
LOWER risk of development
Exercise helps by: increasing blood flow
making muscles strong
increasing ability to perform activities of
daily
living
Precaution: INSPECT FEET AFTER EXERCISE
PROPRIOCEPTION:
Related to peripheral neuropathy
Receptors located throughout body receive stimulus that tell your
brain if:
you are moving,
you are
standing still, or
where your body is in relation to other objects
ie, tells you how high to lift foot when climbing
stairs,
stepping off curb
LOSS OF PROPRIOCEPTION:
Brain isnt getting signal from receptors
Precaution: May result in LOSS OF BALANCE
Suggestion: Balance and gait exercises
AUTONOMIC NEUROPATHY:
Another type of neuropathy
Affects nerves that control INVOLUNTARY ACTIONS
SILENT ISCHEMIA: Heart is not functioning properly BUT NO
PAIN
hypoglemic unawareness: Cant feel blood sugar dropping
Best Solution: Prevent low blood sugar
Test blood sugar before - during - after exercise and
make adjustments
ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION: Blood pressure goes when
standing up or sitting up from lying down
Solution: slow movements especially when standing or
sitting up
NEPHROPATHY:
Kidney disease
Affects 10 to 20 of diabetics
Exercise causes blood pressure to
Solution: CHOOSE MILD TO LOW INTENSITY
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE PVD
Disease of blood vessels
Blood is blocked from flowing freely
Result: Muscles deprived of O2 and other nutrients
Usually affects LOWER EXTREMITIES
10 of diabetics have it
Drugs help with the pain
Exercise is best intervention
Most Common Problem Associated With PVD:
INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION
Sharp pain in calf or legs during exertion Subsides when
activity stops
Precaution: Slow down and keep moving if pain is
tolerable
Solution: Any exercise that get blood flowing into
legs
DIABETES WARNING SIGNS
Blood Glucose Levels - for most people with diabetes it is important
to keep their average blood glucose level over 2 or 3 months less than
7 percent
Blood Pressure - People with diabetes should have a target blood
pressure of less than 130/80mmHg
Cholesterol - LDL bad cholesterol should be below 100 mg/dl; HDL
healthy cholesterol should be above 40 mg/dl for men and 50 mg/dl
for women; triglycerides should be below 150 mg/dl
GENERAL
DIABETES EXERCISE GUIDELINES
Each individual will need to work out modifications unique to them with
their doctor:
Start with medical exam
Discuss symptoms, complications, etc with doctor
Exercise in AM or early afternoon to prevent delayed
hypoglycemia during sleep
Exercise regularly Make it a habit
Exercise after snack and before injection
OR
60 to 90 minutes after injection
Dont exercise when insulin is peaking
Monitor blood glucose levels
prior to exercise
following exercise
Since there is predisposition to dehydration-
adequate fluids before during after exercise
Consume 15 to 30 grams carbohydrate for every 30 minute of
exercise
Consume slowly absorbed carbohydrate snack following exercise
Keep a journal or log of exercise session,
time
length
food
drink
medication
how you felt invigorated, fatigued, light-headed,
etc
Inspect feet before and after exercise
Proper footwear
For more information about American Diabetes Month, please visit the
American Diabetes
Association at wwwdiabetesorg or call 1-800-342-2382
Hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 8 PM EST
Copyright 2008 SIT AND BE FIT
PO Box 8033
Spokane WA 99203-0033
Tel: 509 448-9438 Fax: 509 448-7058
E-Mail: sitandbefit@sitandbefitorg Website: wwwsitandbefitorg
Source:optos.com
