Work out The all over Medicine for Diabetes

I know that the cartoon image up above may seem a little on the harsh side, but being diabetic I have learned one thing and that is without exercise we risk much more than just high blood sugar. 

Diabetes brings with it much more for us to be concerned about, like Heart Disease, Kidney Disease, Liver Disease, and a broad range of Brain, Eye, and Nerve issues.  Circulation and getting blood flow and Oxygen to our vital organs and lower extremities is key to better health and saving our lives as Diabetics. 

Taking the time to at least get 30 minutes of exercise a day can better your chances of  lowering your Blood Glucose levels, keeping blood flow to your legs and feet, making your Heart stronger and aids in better and Liver function.  It is even better if you can put in an 60 minutes a day.  But if you can not find the time then 30 minutes is standard.

Walking of course is one of the best exercises for Diabetics.  It is low impact and brings great results for our Blood Glucose levels.

"George Griffing, MD, professor of endocrinology at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine says that small bouts of exercise per day is fine.  He says that as long as they equal to 30 minutes a day it will work. "

Source:   http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20425548_2,00.html

It is important that Diabetics maintain movement and keep that oxygen and blood flowing throughout our bodies.  We should try to increase any type of activity that we would normally do, such as housework, or walking up and down our stairs.  Any type of exercise that will get that heart pumping.  Be sure you connect with your physician before you begin an exercise program to be sure it is safe for you.

I have used a pedometer for about 3 years now.  I had a mild Heart Attack in 2010 and since then have relied upon my pedometer to make sure I am getting enough steps in per day.  I was recommended 10,000 steps to equal five miles. This can make your Blood Pressure lower,  and lower your Blood Glucose and Cholesterol.

It is also important at the time to consider what caloric intake you have.  Keep yourself a daily journal there are applications you can put on your smart phone to keep track of your calories and how many proteins, fats, and carbohydrates your calories equal. You can also use programs on your computer to do the same as well as a regular notebook and do a handwritten one.  The Application I use on my Android Phone is :  My Diet Diary by GE healthymagination.  You can find this app on Google App Store
Find more Information out @ http://www.medhelp.org 




Source:  http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression


Source:  Fifteen tips for Diabetic Exercise

What a wonderful source of happiness.  It is so much safer and better than pain medications and sleep medications.  It is also much better than us having to take medications for Depression and Anxiety Disorders.  Side affects of Chemicals can damage our bodies, but with exercise we are okay for better ways in which our bodies handle stress and sleeplessness.  The benefits of exercise outweigh the alternatives of no exercise.  Happier, Healthier, and alive.

Together we as Diabetics must keep the conversations happening.  We need the information and communication that can get us healthier and keep us strong.  If you would like to write a blog post information or have an idea or comment or question please contact me at:  diabetic.day2013@gmail.com

Stress me out...Ouch! How Stress Affects Diabetes

I have been told recently to stop stressing out so much, whew that is a hard one for me.  I am a natural born worrier.  I really dont mean to be, but my nature as a female, mother, caregiver tells me otherwise.  I also am busy working on things that concern the country like cold cases all over the united states.  So like most people time management is important and being a sort of perfectionist when it comes to things can cause the utmost stresses for me.  I have had to learn to let some of that go.

Diabetes doesnt pick and chose one race over another, one sex over another or even what social status over another.  It is an equal opportunity disease.  How we manage it though is up to us and even though it is easier to manage if you have the means it is not necessarily that hard if you dont have the means it just means you have to be creative and use alot of free resources to help you maintain it even the stress management part.

Stress is many things it can be Physical, Mental, Emotional and Environment can play a huge part in all of these.  We may have every day stresses like work, home, family, economics, or we could have physical stresses such as Illness (Diabetes), and injuries to our bodies that can be stresses. 

I know when I first talked to a my doctor and she found I had a Kidney infection she said this is why your blood sugar is high, infections raise it because it puts stress on your body.  I was unaware of that now 4 years into the disease.  But it is true it can really stress the body.

When stress occurs, the body prepares to take action. This preparation is called the fight-or-flight response. In the fight-or-flight response, levels of many hormones shoot up. Their net effect is to make a lot of stored energy — glucose and fat — available to cells. These cells are then primed to help the body get away from danger. In people who have diabetes, the fight-or-flight response does not work well. Insulin is not always able to let the extra energy into the cells, so glucose piles up in the blood.  Diabetes affected by stress explained

I have found a few ways to deal with my stress now that I know how it affects my Diabetes that are free and enjoyable.  I use the internet alot for this either on my cell phone or on the computer itself.  I have found that Youtube is a great source for free videos on relaxation, meditation and excersize such as Yoga.  If you have a cell phone there are alot of free Apps that help with this and will give you the opportunity to get free excersize, meditation and even sleep programs to use. 

Taking time out for your needs are very important when you are dealing with a disease like Diabetes.  If it affects your whole body then you must take time to help your body stay healed. 

Remember to try and lower your blood sugar and stay healthy with excersize, eating right and sleeping well.  Remember not to get to stressed out.

Together we can do this as a community.  If you have a story or want to ask questions or share something contact me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com