Diabetic Lifestyle

There is no doubt that diabetes has an impact on the lifestyle of the patient. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. Diabetes is associated with long-term complications. Uncontrolled disease can lead to blindness, heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, amputations, and nerve damage. Diabetes can lead to the loss of the right to drive, complicate pregnancy, and cause birth defects.

Diabetes impacts not only the lives of the people who have the disease but also the lives of the people around them. Family members must learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of diabetes. They need diabetes information and education so that they can assist the diabetic family member.

Because diabetes it is a degenerative, chronic disease, it can slowly rob the patient of his health and his income. Practicing tight control can help minimize the impact on lifestyle, but patients must commit to self care. Diabetic patients can’t eat what they want, whenever they want it. They can never over eat, or eat a lot of anything. If they are a type 1 diabetic, they must always keep a supply of insulin on hand.

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Maintaining a nutritious diet and exercise plan is paramount for patients with diabetes in order to reduce the risk of complications from the disease. For pre-diabetic patients, making such lifestyle changes may also be helpful in warding off diabetes. Encouraging pre-diabetic patients to change their habits was a primary focus of discussion recently at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 65th Annual Scientific Sessions.

Participants in the ADA sessions cited several studies, including the Diabetes Prevention Program and the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study, that show the positive impact of routine diet and exercise counseling in addressing metabolic issues in patients with pre-diabetes and polyneuropathy.

The ADA also noted the findings of the Impaired Glucose Tolerance Neuropathy Study, in which patients performed 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week. These patients were also asked to decrease fat calories to under 30 percent of their total food intake and lose 7 percent of their body weight over 48 weeks, according to an article in the Doctor’s Guide. The study results showed that diet and exercise improvements led to improved metabolic function and improvements in measures of peripheral neuropathy, according to the ADA.

Although lifestyle changes are effective in slowing the progression of diabetes or preventing the disease, Eric Espensen, DPM, says many patients do not grasp the severity of diabetes. He lauds the ADA’s group encounter meetings as “gold mines” and notes that many hospitals have monthly diabetes meetings to educate patients.

For patients with pre-diabetes or those who are borderline diabetic, controlling diet and exercise is vital, according to Eric Feit, DPM. He says planning a specific diet for each day is critical and prefers the Atkins diet as it is easy for patients to remember. The diet stresses cutting back carbohydrates like bread, rice, pasta, cookies and cakes. Dr. Espensen urges patients to keep a journal of the food they eat for a week.

“The patients are amazed at how much they eat and they can start to make simple changes in their diets,” says Dr. Espensen, the Associate Director and Director of Research at the Providence Diabetic Foot Center in Los Angeles.
Having a daily exercise program is also important, notes Dr. Feit, the Past President of the Los Angeles chapter of the ADA. He says patients should start by buying a good pair of running shoes and a soft OTC orthotic like a Spenco Polysorb
Cross-Trainer or Sof Sole Athletic Plus. Dr. Feit points out that senior citizens like these orthotics because their feet feel better and they are able to walk more.
Dr. Feit asks his patients to walk 30 minutes each day and suggests settings like the park, the mall or the supermarket. Dr. Espensen concurs, emphasizing that having patients walk 30 minutes a day is “priceless” in facilitating weight loss.

——Exercise

Sometimes, it may seem easier to pop a pill or even take a shot than to put on your walking shoes and hit the trail. But the truth is that exercise, in combination with a healthy diet, is one of the best things you can do to take care of yourself if you have diabetes.
· Exercise burns calories, which will help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
· Regular exercise can help your body respond to insulin and is known to be effective in managing blood glucose. Exercise can lower blood glucose and possibly reduce the amount of medication you need to treat diabetes, or even eliminate the need for medication.
· Exercise can improve your circulation, especially in your arms and legs, where people with diabetes can have problems.
· Exercise can help reduce your cholesterol and high blood pressure. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
· Exercise helps reduce stress, which can raise your glucose level.
· It can lower your risk for heart disease, reduce your cholesterol levels and your blood pressure.
· In some people, exercise combined with a meal plan, can control Type 2 Diabetes without the need for medications.
Try to exercise at the same time every day for the same duration. This will help control your blood sugar. Exercise at least three times a week for about 30 to 45 minutes.

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