By Toby Dushieney
The consequences of not exercising after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis include elevated levels of stress, higher blood pressure and bad cholesterol.
Heart disease is a big killer these days, and diabetics are more at risk than those who do not have the disease, making exercise a top priority for the diabetic patient.
Some people worry about the word "exercise", particularly as many are overweight, and the thought of going to a gym horrifies them. Simply walking a set distance every day can make a vast difference.
I bought a local large scale ordnance survey map and planned a route that measured 2 miles. I find that I can walk this is about 45 minutes and I generally do it before work in the morning. My wife takes a train every morning to work which again is a 2 mile round trip.
I have been doing this for about 2 months now, and have found my weight reduced and my stress levels are way down.
If you are an animal lover, now may be the time to get that dog you always wanted. Be careful though, they are a 10-20 year commitment, but if you do get one, you have no choice but to walk, so you no longer have to rely on willpower alone!
The following conditions need to be addressed before starting an exercise regime:
Diabetic Retinopathy.
The most important form of eye disease to think about is diabetic retinopathy. The need to protect the eyes here is of absolute importance, and has little to do with wearing eye protectors (although this may be necessary depending on what you are doing). It has everything to do with not, for example, doing exercise where your eyes go below the level of your heart, or where an increase in pressure is likely - underwater skin-diving for example. Sudden shocks to the head should also be avoided.
Kidney Disease.
You need to be careful with kidney disease, or neuropathy as it is called. An increase in blood pressure, particularly when doing hard exercise for long periods, should not be allowed.
Clogging of the Arteries, or PAD.
Peripheral Arterial Disease is a clogging of the arteries, and affects diabetics and non diabetics alike. However, diabetics are far more likely to contract PAD than non diabetics. It generally comes on quicker in diabetics, manifesting itself as a pain in the legs when walking. Eventually, no pulse can be found in the feet.
The pain felt in the legs often occurs after a certain distance. By keeping a rough approximation in your head, walk about two thirds of the distance that the pain usually kicks in, have a rest and then do the same again. This way, you can carry on walking as long as you like, and after a while the pain should start to leave you.
The good thing is that as you continue to exercise like this, blood vessels will be encouraged to grow in your legs, reducing the pain.
Heart disease is a big killer these days, and diabetics are more at risk than those who do not have the disease, making exercise a top priority for the diabetic patient.
Some people worry about the word "exercise", particularly as many are overweight, and the thought of going to a gym horrifies them. Simply walking a set distance every day can make a vast difference.
I bought a local large scale ordnance survey map and planned a route that measured 2 miles. I find that I can walk this is about 45 minutes and I generally do it before work in the morning. My wife takes a train every morning to work which again is a 2 mile round trip.
I have been doing this for about 2 months now, and have found my weight reduced and my stress levels are way down.
If you are an animal lover, now may be the time to get that dog you always wanted. Be careful though, they are a 10-20 year commitment, but if you do get one, you have no choice but to walk, so you no longer have to rely on willpower alone!
The following conditions need to be addressed before starting an exercise regime:
Diabetic Retinopathy.
The most important form of eye disease to think about is diabetic retinopathy. The need to protect the eyes here is of absolute importance, and has little to do with wearing eye protectors (although this may be necessary depending on what you are doing). It has everything to do with not, for example, doing exercise where your eyes go below the level of your heart, or where an increase in pressure is likely - underwater skin-diving for example. Sudden shocks to the head should also be avoided.
Kidney Disease.
You need to be careful with kidney disease, or neuropathy as it is called. An increase in blood pressure, particularly when doing hard exercise for long periods, should not be allowed.
Clogging of the Arteries, or PAD.
Peripheral Arterial Disease is a clogging of the arteries, and affects diabetics and non diabetics alike. However, diabetics are far more likely to contract PAD than non diabetics. It generally comes on quicker in diabetics, manifesting itself as a pain in the legs when walking. Eventually, no pulse can be found in the feet.
The pain felt in the legs often occurs after a certain distance. By keeping a rough approximation in your head, walk about two thirds of the distance that the pain usually kicks in, have a rest and then do the same again. This way, you can carry on walking as long as you like, and after a while the pain should start to leave you.
The good thing is that as you continue to exercise like this, blood vessels will be encouraged to grow in your legs, reducing the pain.
About the Author:
Toby was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic over 2 years ago. He is keen to stay active, and help others with his unique experiences of the disease. He also has diverse interests, visit his latest website about ryobi 18v battery at http://www.ryobi18vbattery.net/
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