Exercise for Diabetics

The two most common forms of diabetes are referred to as Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile onset diabetes, differs from Type 2 in that with type 1 diabetes the body stops producing insulin altogether. Type 2 diabetes is generally diagnosed in older adults and occurs as the body stops producing enough insulin or the individual becomes resistant to their own insulin.  As obesity increases, there is a larger number of younger adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

With either form of diabetes, a person loses the ability to properly utilize sugar in the body. Blood sugar levels increase in the blood stream due to the body's difficulty in transporting sugar into the cells and out of the blood stream. There are various ways to lower blood sugar levels including exercise, diet, and medications.

Exercise is a very important part of managing your diabetes symptoms for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. For the Type 1 diabetic, regular exercise helps maintain insulin sensitivity, along with preventing the accumulation of excess weight, and it increases the use of glucose by muscles, thereby lowering blood sugar levels. While there is no medically understood way to prevent Type 1 diabetes, it may be possible to prevent Type 2 diabetes.

Some of the things to consider when attempting to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes are regular exercise, supplementation with vitamins and herbs that help prevent insulin resistance, and proper weight control.

Exercise not only helps directly in diabetic management by lowering blood sugar levels and maintaining insulin sensitivity, but also helps indirectly by minimizing many of the complications that can often arise in people with diabetes. Studies have shown that walking for 30 minutes per day can substantially diminish the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes.
It is understood that diabetic sufferers tend to develop circulatory problems and exercise can certainly help lower blood pressure and improve circulation throughout the body. Since individuals with diabetes tend to have poor blood flow to their lower extremities and feet, better circulation is a true benefit.

Although there are some risks associated with exercise, the potential benefits greatly outweigh the risks. Since exercise does lower blood sugar levels, people with diabetes should measure their blood sugar both before and after exercising. Since your body uses more sugar while exercising and makes you more sensitive to insulin, there is a risk of blood sugar becoming too low and causing hypoglycemia.  This is especially true for Type 1 diabetes sufferers.  Always speak with your doctor before beginning any exercise programs.

When exercising it is important to let others know that you are diabetic. They should be informed what to do in case of hypoglycemia. You should always carry candy or fruit juice to treat low blood sugar levels should they occur. During and after exercise sessions, you should pay close attention to how you feel since rapid heart beat, increased sweating, feeling shaky, or hunger can signal that your blood sugar levels are becoming too low.

So remember, exercise benefits diabetic sufferers but as with any lifestyle changes, you need to be aware of how your body reacts to exercise. Speak with your doctor to understand what exercise is best for you, and enjoy the benefits of healthier living.

5 Tips For Traveling if You Have Diabetes

Planning ahead when you are traveling tends to  reduce the stresses that come hand in hand with travelling.  This is particularly true for the diabetic.  These 5 diabetes travel tips are simple to implement and can be  crucial to managing your diabetes both during and after you travel.  We've also found these 5 tips are particularly important if you are traveling outside the country.

1)  It's always best to visit your doctor for a pre-travel check-up.  This way you can insure that your A1C blood sugar levels; your blood pressure and your cholesterol levels are in good shape and you are ready to travel.  You will also want to be aware of the particular medical restrictions of the areas you are planning on traveling to.

2)  This step is important for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes sufferers.  When you travel, make sure to wear a diabetes medical ID.  If you want to make sure people understand your health issue, you can have it printed in the language spoken in the country you are going to be visiting.  Although English is a universal language, depending on the country, not everyone will be able to speak or read your language and this is the time you do NOT want medical problems through misunderstandings.

3)  A simple tip is to keep your medication and glucose snacks in your carry on luggage.  Checked baggage does, unfortunately, become lost and misdirected. Don't risk losing your diabetes medication by packing it in your checked bags.

4)  On thing that people don't often think about is keeping your medication in its original box, complete with pharmacy labels.  It will prevent misunderstandings about why you are carrying drugs and, if you are using insulin, syringes or other paraphernalia that may cause you an issue through security.

5)  Be aware of time zone changes, especially when altering your watch.  Remember when you travel east your day becomes shorter; if you travel west your day becomes longer.  You may need to alter the timings of your medication.

Traveling need not be traumatic.  A sensible attitude and a bit of pre-travel planning can make things go far more smoothly.  If you want more information about natural ways to assist or reverse your diabetes, check out our website:

http://wellness.hstriad.com

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Diagnosed With Diabetes? Things You Had to Know

Individuals of all ages, all races, all cultures, and all body types can contract diabetes. It's a disease that attacks your body's ability to manage blood sugar.

When dealing with a child that has diabetes, make sure that you include the entire household along with the unique dietary plan that the kid has to sustain. This will make it a lot easier for the kid to manage, rather than needing to watch other individuals eat foods that they might want.

For you ladies - even if you "just" have Gestational Diabetes, it is especially essential for you to monitor your blood glucose levels. Your infant will be affected by the slightest peak you might have as the insulin does cross the placenta, so make certain to keep your levels under control.  In most cases your infant will grow normally.

Women, specifically in their teenagers and early twenties, may experience substantial fluctuations in their blood sugar levels in the week preceeding their menstrual period. Screen your levels regularly during this time, then make any required changes in your insulin doses and urinary ketone measurements, as this can avoid further spikes.

This might show that your body is especially low on insulin levels if you observe that your urinary ketone levels are unusually high. Your body is being required to process sugar, instead of fat as fuel for your body from day to day, or as part of your fasting efforts. If ketone levels continue to rise as this may be a sign of a condition called ketoacidosis, consult your physician.

Once in a while to keep your flow pumping, treat yourself to a leg and foot massage. Diabetes triggers peripheral neuropathy, which can be painful and is very difficult to treat. Have your spouse put some cream on your calves and give you a calming rub to ease your stress and assist your feet remain healthy. For more permanent options - click HERE

Make sure to vary the insulin injection site if you're a diabetic who utilizes insulin to manage your diabetes. Varying the site assists in insuring that the skin in one location doesn't scar or become irritated, making it more difficult to take the injection. Vary the site whenever you inject yourself.

Be VERY mindful with any suggestions you receive online about diabetes treatment. It is great to do your research online, as well as to find out what other individuals are doing to look after their disease, however you need to take any new details you want to act upon to your physician, to make sure that it's clinically sound. No information on this site, or any site affiliated with Health First should be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician before beginning any treatment regimes.

Because diabetes is so common, there are lots and lots of ideas out there that will help you live a healthy and well controlled way of life with the illness. You should be focusing on staying healthy if you have diabetes, and the tips in the above article can assist you out enormously. Don't overlook them - especially since they are so easy to use.

Individuals of all ages, all races, all cultures, and all body types can contract diabetes. If you're a diabetic who uses insulin to manage his diabetes, make sure to rotate the insulin injection sites. Because diabetes is so common, there are numerous pointers out there that will help you live a healthy and well regulated lifestyle with the disease. You should be focusing on staying healthy if you have diabetes, and the ideas in the above article can assist you tremendously.