In this article we discuss the facts regarding how exercise can play a significant role at reducing the symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes.
How many people does it affect?
Firstly though, what is Diabetes and how many people does it affect? In 2013 the estimated diabetes prevalence for adults in Europe between the ages of 20 and 79 was 32 million people, and that is expected to rise to 38 million by 2035!
In the United States of America, 1/4 of the population over the age of 60 have diabetes and many don’t even know it!
It is estimated that 9.5% of the European population, – 42 million people – have undiagnosed impaired glucose tolerance ( a state of increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes) according to the International Diabetes Federation.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which blood glucose – often called blood sugars – are above normal levels. We need glucose in the blood to provide the body with energy. This is primarily obtained from the food we eat but it is also produced in the liver and muscles.
Glucose is transferred to the body’s cells by a hormone called Insulin.
Type 1 ( normally diagnosed before the age of 20) Is a condition by which the body loses the ability to produce Insulin for some unknown reason. Type 1 diabetes is not related to lifestyle or dietary reasons.
Type 2 is a totally preventable form of Diabetes and is related to lifestyle: overweight and obesity. The hormone Insulin is still produced but its no longer sensitive to glucose. This means that glucose is ineffectively transferred to the cells resulting in high blood sugar levels.
The deleterious effects
90-95% of people with Diabetes have the type 2 version. High blood sugars are very damaging to the body:
- High blood sugars damage your brain making Dementia much more likely.
- You are 2-4 times likely to have a heart attack.
- They damage the kidneys and eyes leading to blindness. High blood sugars are the leading cause of blindness in those from the age of 20 – 70.
- In addition they damage your nerves causing muscles pain in hands and nerve damage and poor circulation can lead to amputations. 60% of amputations are not caused by accidents but are diabetes related.
Just a 5-10% weight loss is all it takes to restore insulin sensitivity. This can be achieved just by exercising regularly at Ladies First Fitness!
Note: If you have Type 1 you can still exercise! Here is a helpful link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes/exercise-and-sport/
Early Warning Signs and Symptoms!
1. Frequent urination
When blood sugar levels are high, the kidneys try to remove the excess sugar by filtering it out of the blood. This can lead to a person needing to urinate more frequently, particularly at night.
2. Increased thirst
The frequent urination that is necessary to remove excess sugar from the blood can result in the body losing additional water. Over time, this can cause dehydration and lead to a person feeling more thirsty than usual.
3. Always feeling hungry
People with diabetes often do not get enough energy from the food they eat.
The digestive system breaks food down into a simple sugar called glucose, which the body uses as fuel. In people with diabetes, not enough of this glucose moves from the bloodstream into the body’s cells.
As a result, people with type 2 diabetes often feel constantly hungry, regardless of how recently they have eaten.
4. Feeling very tired
Type 2 diabetes can impact on a person’s energy levels and cause them to feel very tired or fatigued. This tiredness occurs as a result of insufficient sugar moving from the bloodstream into the body’s cells.
5. Blurry vision
An excess of sugar in the blood can damage the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, which can cause blurry vision. This blurry vision can occur in one or both of the eyes and may come and go.
If a person with diabetes goes without treatment, the damage to these blood vessels can become more severe, and permanent vision loss may eventually occur.
6. Slow healing of cuts and wounds
High levels of sugar in the blood can damage the body’s nerves and blood vessels, which can impair blood circulation. As a result, even small cuts and wounds may take weeks or months to heal. Slow wound healing also increases the risk of infection.
7. Tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet
High blood sugar levels can affect blood circulation and damage the body’s nerves. In people with type 2 diabetes, this can lead to pain or a sensation of tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.
This condition is known as neuropathy, and it can worsen over time and lead to more serious complications if a person does not get treatment for their diabetes.
8. Patches of dark skin
Patches of dark skin forming on the creases of the neck, armpit, or groin can also signify a higher risk of diabetes. These patches may feel very soft and velvety.
This skin condition is known as acanthosis nigricans.
9. Itching and yeast infections
Excess sugar in the blood and urine provides food for yeast, which can lead to infection. Yeast infections tend to occur on warm, moist areas of the skin, such as the mouth, genital areas, and armpits.
The affected areas are usually itchy, but a person may also experience burning, redness, and soreness.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323185.php#early-signs-and-symptoms
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/exercise
