Regular Exercise for Better Diabetic Health
Editor’s Comment: The following article has been provided by a visitor to this site and emphasizes the value of exercise for people with diabetes. As an aging diabetic myself, I realize that not everyone is suficiently fit and mobile to engage in a strenuous exercise regime, but even exercise of a gentler type, walking perhaps, can help us avoid, or at least delay, the onset of abnormal blood sugar complications. Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to many serious health complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease, and critical blood circulation problems that can lead to gangrene and the possible amputation of extremeties, toes, feet, and legs even.
Statistics provided by the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet that was released in January of this year inform us that over 60% of nontraumatic amputations of lower limbs occur in people with diabetes.
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The case for engaging in regular exercise
Generally, leg or foot amputation may be caused by trauma due to accidents, vascular diseases, tumors or congenital disorders. Among the major sources of amputations mentioned above, amputation resulting from vascular diseases may be prevented. Amputation usually is the result when there is inadequate blood circulation in the body. For leg and foot amputation, the reason is always due to infection to peripheral vascular diseases.
Simple Tips to avoid peripheral vascular diseases
First is regular exercise. Regular exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness. It also increases joint flexibility, increases muscle strength and endurance. It also increases the oxygen supply in the blood and promotes good blood circulation. Moreover, it is also proven to cause weight reduction. For adults, regular exercise will help to normalizes glucose tolerance, improves gait and balance, improves cardiovascular function, increases energy, reduces blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, promotes rest and relaxation and improves sleep.
Second is to minimize interruption of the blood flow. For diabetic patients, avoid constricting clothing or socks and ill-fitting shoes in order not to hamper good blood flow and avoid foot pressures. This will eliminate further complications like foot ulcers, gangrene and muscle or bony structure changes. Simple foot boils and blisters may lead to serious infections such as gangrene. As per study, diabetic foot complications are the leading cause for non-traumatic lower extremity amputations. For this purpose, physicians advised the use of diabetic socks for men to protect feet and toes against complications. The sock is particularly designed to prevent moisture from setting in which would cause skin infection to minor skin irritations.
Third is to avoid risk of tissue injury or skin breaks. Patients with diabetes experienced slow healing of wounds. It is necessary therefore, that they should protect their feet against unnecessary injuries. Avoid going barefoot, use diabetic socks for men when at home. It is comfortable and designed primarily to protect the feet. It is seamless and non-binding to protect the toe from irritation and pressure.
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