Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and/or gradually loses the ability to produce enough insulin in the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that allows your body to use sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates in the food that you eat for energy or to store glucose for future use. Insulin helps keep your blood sugar level from getting too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia).
Diabetes can put you at an increased risk of developing other serious condi- tions. These include increased risk of heart attack and stroke, nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney damage (nephropathy) and eye complications such as cataracts and glaucoma. We do not know what causes type 2 diabetes although it is associated with certain lifestyle risk factors and strong genetic and family related risk factors.
Some people are at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes if they:
- have a family history of diabetes are older (over 55 years of age ) – the risk increases as we age.
- are over 45 years of age and are overweight.
- are over 45 years of age and have high blood pressure.
- are over 35 years of age and are from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background.
- are over 35 years of age and are from Pacific Island, Indian sub continent or Chinese cultural background.
- are a woman who has given birth to a child over 4.5 kgs (9 lbs), or had gestational diabetes when pregnant, or had a condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Lifestyle changes are an important part of managing Type 2 Diabetes.
- Eating well helps manage your blood glucose levels and your body weight
- Exercising helps the insulin in your body work more effectively, lowers your blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Regular blood glucose monitoring tests whether the treatment being followed is adequately controlling blood glucose levels or whether you need to adjust your treatment.
- An Accredited Exercise Physiologist can assist you with advice on exercise and education on how to change your lifestyle to better manage your Diabetes.
If you would like to know more about how Exercise Physiology services can help manage your Type 2 Diabetes, contact us at Whittlesea Physiotherapy on 03 9716 2250.