Tag #complicationsofdiabetes

Physical activity plays a major role in managing diabetes and reducing complications. By incorporating physical activity into daily life, individuals with diabetes can enhance insulin action, promoting glucose utilization in cells. Regular physical activity also aids in effective weight management and reduces the risk of complications, such as heart problems and stroke.

A lack of physical activity is a significant risk factor for diabetes, as it contributes to obesity and insulin resistance. Many people lead busy lives, leaving little time for physical activity, and some are unaware of the importance of exercise in maintaining health.

Various types of physical activities are available, including aerobic exercises, yoga, and resistance training. With the guidance of a physician or instructor, you can choose the most suitable physical activity.

Individuals with diabetes must monitor their blood sugar levels before, during, and after physical activity to prevent hypoglycemia. If you’re new to physical activity or unsure about the best exercises for you, consult an experienced physician.

To incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, start with short sessions and gradually increase duration and intensity under expert guidance. Schedule physical activity at the same time each day, just like meals or medication. Engage in enjoyable activities and progress to more intensive training.

Tracking progress with a fitness tracker or mobile app can boost motivation. Physical activity not only helps control blood sugar and prevent complications but also produces serotonin, the “happy hormone,” which enhances mental well-being and reduces stress.

In conclusion, physical activity is essential for individuals with diabetes, alongside diet and medication. By incorporating regular physical activity into daily life, individuals with diabetes can achieve better blood sugar control.

As we all know, diabetes is not confined to increased blood sugar—it is only a symptom of the condition. Diabetes mostly occurs due to either an insulin deficiency or the body’s inability to utilize insulin effectively.

High blood sugar can lead to a wide range of complications, which in turn affect various organs and systems in the body. The major organs primarily affected by diabetes are the heart and blood vessels. High sugar levels damage blood vessels, leading to an increased risk of atherosclerosis (i.e., fat or cholesterol plaques in the walls of arteries), which can cause heart disease or stroke.

Diabetes also significantly impacts the kidneys, the organs responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and excreting them. However, high blood sugar can damage the kidney’s filtration process, leading to kidney failure, known as diabetic nephropathy.

You may often hear about the numbness and tingling pain in the feet or hands of diabetic patients. This condition, called diabetic neuropathy, results from nerve damage that causes loss of sensation. As a result, individuals with diabetes often do not notice wounds. Due to high sugar levels in the blood, bacteria tend to grow more easily at wound sites, leading to poor healing. If blood sugar is not controlled, it can lead to severe ulcers or even gangrene (death of body tissue caused by bacterial infection or poor blood flow).

Additionally, diabetes can affect the retinal blood vessels, causing blurred vision or even blindness, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes can also affect the skin, leading to various infections, most commonly fungal infections. It weakens the immune system, and high blood sugar levels can increase cholesterol and cause other complications.

This is why diabetes is known as a “silent killer.” It is essential for those with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels closely and follow the diet and regimen prescribed by their physician.