Knowing the ins & Outs of Handling Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes

Be Supportive & Attend to the Needs of the Diabetes Patient

Just like how sugar and salt are commonly found in our kitchen for cooking purpose diabetes and blood pressure are commonly present in many individuals’ body these days. Diabetes is growing into a public health epidemic. Besides the affected individual taking ample care of his/her health needs and leading a disciplined lifestyle by eating a well-balanced diet there are some things that are ought to be followed by health specialists and other people around to make the individual feel secure and at ease.
​
Exercise is Good but Not at the Cost of Health: Time and again we have heard physicians recommend patients with elevated sugar levels to never miss out on regular physical activities such as walking or yoga as these help in controlling glucose levels. Often we have also heard diabetics comment that they could see a rise in sugar levels even when they miss out on a couple of days of activity. But before doing any of these it is essential that the patient gets a green signal from the doctor to engage in physical activities (especially when it involves more than walking or moderate-intensity activities) as this protects the patient from suffering dire consequences.
Resistance training is recommended for many people as it increases muscle’s sensitivity to insulin thereby allowing them to consume more glucose. Besides cardio training resistance training exercises show potential benefits in lowering blood-sugar levels. Reputed diabetes associations and organizations recommend that diabetes patients perform at least two days of resistance training exercises along with other exercises to activate all major muscle groups. Also, instead of working out at a stretch it is much more effective on glucose levels when the individual does short bouts of exercise at regular time intervals. A study even showed that three 10-minute walk sessions lowered blood glucose levels significantly more than one 30-minute exercise session and this effect was seen more during dinner when maximum carbohydrates was consumed and also individuals are mostly sedentary.

Keep a Constant Watch on Blood Glucose Levels: Exercise can cause rapid changes in blood glucose levels which brings in the need to monitor blood glucose levels before, during and after exercise to avoid future complications. A fall in sugar level below 100 mg/dL or rise above 300 mg/dL or 250 mg/dL is an immediate indication to stop exercising. Patients must also monitor their blood sugar levels in a few hours following exercising to avoid post-exercise hypoglycemia as the body would be increasingly susceptible to insulin.

Exercising is a great way to instill the information in clients that there are other efficient ways to combat diabetes apart from medications. To help them realize exercise’s effectiveness, the patient can maintain a blood sugar log noting down pre- and post-exercise glucose measurements. Exercise also improves the patient’s mood and energy levels which exists as yet another motivating factor to track glucose changes and take up exercising.

Don’t call a Diabetic a Diabetic: Though people realize and accept that they have diabetes none like it when someone brands the person or calls him/her a ‘diabetic’. When we brand people in such a way it seems like we are indirectly telling them that they are not capable of change and would remain like that forever. But when we call someone as a person with ‘type 2 diabetes’ it sounds casual something equivalent to calling a person ‘with fever’. These terminologies might sound casual but it does greatly affect the one with the disease motivating or demotivating him/her to take action or manage the disease with lifestyle changes.

When we understand the small nuances of tackling diabetes patients we are creating greater opportunities for their speedy recovery and also paving the way for a healthier lifestyle. With such encouragement and positivity there is every chance that these individuals can manage or reverse diabetes. If you suffer or you know someone suffering from diabetes it is better to visit a reputed nutritionist/dietitian at www.firsteatright.com who can help you with a practical, daily diet plan and exercise schedule for treating diabetes.