Diabetes and You

Diabetes  is a disease in which the body does not produce enough or properly use insulin(a hormone that converts sugars, starches and other foods into energy).

There are 4 types of diabetes:

• Type I: the body does not produce insulin. 5-10% of Americans with Diabetes are type I. Most common in children and young adults.
  • Treatment: insulin.
• Type II: the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin.
  • Treatment: diet, exercise and medication 
• Gestational Diabetes: 4% of all pregnant women have high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. One possible cause is pregnancy hormones block the action of the mother's insulin in her body. Left untreated, gestational diabetes can hurt the baby.
• Pre-Diabetes: glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be considered diabetes. Damage to the body can already be occurring. Patients can take caution to mange this before it is too late.
  • Treatment: diet and exercise

Causes

There is a link between obesity and lack of exercise with developing Type II diabetes. Environmental factors (cold weather, viruses, diet) and genetics are also thought to contribute.

Symptoms

The early signs of diabetes are often missed because they are mild or attributed to other factors. If identified early, diabetes treatment can be started and the chance of developing complications can be decreased

Contact your doctor if you have more than one of the following symptoms:

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

Current Treatment

• 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 (decrease calories if obesity is an issue).
• Exercise: 
  Regular exercise can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes. It can also reduce the risk of developing complications of diabetes (such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, skin disorders, neuropathy/nerve damage, gastroparesis, depression, foot problems and leg ulcers). Consult your health care provider before beginning an exercise program.
• Alcohol Use:
  Limit the amount of alcohol consumed. Excessive alcohol consumption is a known risk-factor for developing diabetes. Alcohol raises the glucose level in the blood.
• Smoking: 
  STOP! Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing complications of diabetes.
• Monitor blood glucose levels:
  self-check blood glucose levels frequently (at least before meals and at bedtime). A log of these levels allows your health care provider to determine if the current treatment is effective or if changes need to be made.
• Medication:
  your healthcare provider will determine the proper medication for you.

Keep it simple. Say you want to improve your physical fitness. The first week, add 10 minutes of activity a day. The next week, add 15 minutes to the weekend days. And track it. Walking during a lunch break is an easy fix to this simple formula. Add 10 minutes of stretching to your morning or after your regular workout. Squeeze in a 30-minute bicycle ride with your family this weekend. Easy.

Trying to lose weight? Take one thing at a time. A great first step is tracking your food intake – just the exercise of having to log each and every morsel and drink item will give you pause and cause you to pay attention to the excess calories you are taking in. If that is too much trouble, and you like social support – join the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) group at your church or Weight Watchers at work.  Select one outlet and stick with it. Simple.

How Can Physical Therapy Help

Physical Therapy can help a patient with diabetes establish an exercise program to help lose weight, decrease blood pressure and regulate blood glucose levels. They can also provide education on the complications of diabetes and how to manage them (such as proper foot care). If a patient with diabetes develops an open sore, physical therapists are specially trained to help care for the wound. If complications develop and a patient with diabetes requires an amputation, a physical therapist can help with the recovery and return to function.

The good news is that the social norms are shifting. You won't have room for excuses. Healthcare reform is creating new health promoting policies and funding for safe and inviting spaces so you and your family have access to healthy foods and environments that support physical activity – for instance, more access to fresh produce, required nutrition information at restaurants, safe sidewalks, bike paths, and parks.

If you are looking for tools to help you set your goal, keep it simple and get back into the things you enjoy like golfing, swimming, tennis or dancing. Just start slow and watch your health improve.