A Physical Therapist Explains Diabetes

By Deborah Holmes, PT

Complete Physical Therapy

. http://www.phystherapy.com/

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A Physical Therapist Explains Diabetes

Almost 26 million children and adults are living with diabetes (about 8% of the population). Of these, an estimated 19 million have been diagnosed, where as seven million are unaware that they have the disease.

About 79 million people have “pre-diabetes,” a condition in which blood sugar (glucose) levels are abnormal but are not yet considered diabetic.

What Is Diabetes?

In diabetes, the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Produced by the pancreas, insulin is a hormone needed to allow glucose (sugar) to enter the cell and provide the energy necessary for daily activities.

When the pancreas doesn't produce adequate amounts of insulin, or when the muscle, fat and liver cells don't respond to insulin properly, glucose builds up in the blood (hyperglycemia). This can be toxic to your cells. In addition, because of the reduced glucose uptake into the cells, they can use an abnormal amount of fats for fuel (ketoacidosis) and may become undernourished.

There are three main types of diabetes ?
Type 1 diabetes develops most often in children and young adults.?
Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age and?can largely be preventable?
Gestational diabetes develops in women during pregnancy

Diabetes can result in such conditions as heart disease and stroke.

In a condition called pre-diabetes, or insulin resistance, blood sugar levels are normal or only moderately elevated and often are accompanied by elevated insulin levels but have not yet reached the diabetic stage. With pre-diabetes, you have a greater risk not only for diabetes but for heart attacks and strokes.

You will not develop type 2 diabetes automatically if you have pre-diabetes. For some people with pre-diabetes, early treatment can actually return blood glucose levels to the normal range.

Research shows that you can lower your risk for type 2 diabetes by 58% by
Losing 7% of your?body weight?(or 15 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds)
Exercising moderately?(such as brisk walking) 30 minutes a day, five days a week

Don't worry if you can't get to your?ideal body weight. Losing even 10-15 pounds can make a huge difference.

How Can Physical Therapy Help?

Physical activity, along with diet and medication, is a must treatment for diabetes and physical activity is a must for prevention of diabetes.?Your physical therapist will?recommend physical activity at least three days per week, with no more than two days in a row without physical activity.