A Physical Therapy Guide on Diabetes & Lifestyle
Around the world, people are experiencing diabetes as a chronic disease caused by the inactivity or inefficient activity of the pancreas. The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin that the body will utilize to manage the glucose level in the blood for a smooth or an active lifestyle. But due to poor lifestyle, inactivity, or other health complications, diabetes rate is getting higher. It is common among older age people, adults, and even teenagers or kids.
For the management of diabetes, it is important to follow an active lifestyle. Because with physical activity, it is easier to lower the glucose level in the body and a person performs the lifestyle activities normally.
Get to Know About the Chronic Disease:
Diabetes is a chronic disorder caused due to the disturbance of insulin hormone in the body. The hormone is responsible for maintaining the body function and managing optimal glucose levels inside the body—usually, people with diabetes experience high blood glucose levels that cause various health issues.
Sugar production in the body is not properly utilized by the cells, and a person fails to proceed towards a normal lifestyle. Diabetes comes with two different cases, including type-1 and type-2 diabetes that is common in people around the world. Moreover, gestational diabetes usually affects women during pregnancy.
Understand different types of diabetes:
There are reportedly three types of diabetes with different causes, symptoms, and treatment. When it comes to understanding diabetes, it is important to know the type to get the assistance for the relevant type. Following is what you should know while studying about diabetes:
- Types 1
Type 1 diabetes is a situation in which the pancreas fails to produce insulin due to immune system damage. The system attacks the pancreas and destroys beta cells, and a person has to take it artificially through injection to manage the insulin level in the body. Usually, such types are available for children and adults.
- Type 2
Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age in which the body becomes resistant to insulin. It means the body produces insulin and is not able to produce enough insulin to dominate the insulin resistance in the body.
- Gestational diabetes
Usually occurs in women at the time of pregnancy. But with care and precaution, it will go away easily. Women with a family history of diabetes are at high risk of being affected by gestational diabetes.
What are the potential causes or complications?
When it comes to knowing or explore about the complications and causes, they are varied and depend on the type of diabetes. As for type 1, the cause is not defined and still unknown. But for two other types, the reasons can be poor diet, inactive lifestyle, weight gain, or obesity that puts a person in a complicated situation.
It is important to diagnose and treat it on time to avoid future health complications. Various complications are related to diabetes. Some are as follows:
- Heart stroke
- High blood pressure
- Kidney failure
- Vision problem or blindness
- Skin problem, ulcers, sores
- Blood circulation problem or narrow blood vessels
- Poor balance, nerve damage
- Pains, depression, and anxiety
- Amputation (loss or removal of a body part)
- Early death
How to diagnose by understanding symptoms?
When it comes to diagnosis, it is important to know the symptoms that are usually caused by diabetes. If the person reports symptoms only, then the diagnosis can be possible. Here are some early signs that showed up in a person having diabetes includes:
- Increase in urination
- Feeling extreme hunger or thirst
- Muscles fatigue, tiredness, and sweating
- Blur vision
- Numbness, burning, cramps, and weakness
- Severe chronic pains or restlessness
- Quick weight loss or gain
- Slow sores healing
- Bladder, skin, and vaginal infection
In case of experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is necessary to consult with the doctor. The health care provider evaluates the symptoms and their nature. Moreover, some medical test examinations are recommended that are essential for early diagnosis.
A person who is with diabetes should require assistance from a physical therapist. A therapist will plan a program based on a person’s personalized medical condition. It helps to improve lifestyle, mobility and reduce the other complications faced by a diabetic.
Physical therapist to improve lifestyle with diabetes:
Diabetes is a long-life managing disease that requires care, activity, and change in lifestyle to avoid complications. A person will get help from a physical therapist that will improve the daily routine, but also effectively reduce pain or other problems.
A therapist will help with checking the glucose level in the blood, examination of the sores and skin infection, and helps with quick healing. Moreover, suggest some home-based training that is effective for managing glucose levels. A physical therapist will do the complete inspection, including balance monitoring, skin sensation, flexibility, and coordination. After that, suggests a personalized plan that will help with the following:
1. Strength & flexibility:
A physical therapist will help to improve the overall flexibility and regain strength. It is through exercise programs and home-based exercises that will help to improve mobility. Further, the therapist will help to do some stretching exercises to treat the muscle soreness and reduce stiffness. You can learn the ways through which it is easier to work over the flexibility improvement.
2. Balance & coordination:
People with diabetes are at high risk to suffer from balance problems. There are chances of poor coordination and inability to prevent yourself from falling. With coordination improvement training and balance regaining exercises, it is easier to regain energy and live a normal life.
3. Managing blood glucose:
Glucose level monitoring and keeping it at the optimal range is a real challenge for people with diabetes. It is essential to consult with the therapist and get some advice for the personalized training programs. According to health care personnel, with exercise, it is easier to lower the glucose level in the bloodstream. Even at some stages, the diabetes type 2 can be cured with physical exercise programs.
4. Sores protection & healing:
In the diabetic person, the sores and wounds are at a low rate of healing. It can raise the overall threat and put a person in serious complications. But with the proper care, inspection of skin condition, it is easy to avoid sores from the building. A physical therapist will check the footwear and suggest precautions to avoid sores or wounds.
5. Daily activities & improvement:
A physical therapist will suggest a better exercise program, according to the medical history. By adding daily activities, it is easier to improve mobility, coordination, and lifestyle.
6. Surgery support:
Due to diabetes, the chances of organ damage are at high risk. So, if a patient requires surgery, then a physical therapist will help in preparation. Moreover, they will help in recovery duration by working on lowering pain and improving coordination or movement. Even in severe cases, people come back quickly towards the normal lifestyle and start moving.
Can the condition be prevented?
In the case of diabetes type 1, the condition cannot be prevented because, in medical history, its reasons or causes are still unknown. But in the case of diabetes type 2, the cure or prevention is possible by following a healthy lifestyle and keeping yourself active. A physical therapist will help to manage the routine physical exercise to treat obesity and improve coordination.
Which type of physical therapist will help?
If you are looking for a physical therapist for diabetes management and avoiding risk, then you should get a recommendation from a health care advisor. Moreover, you can ask for a referral from a friend or relative. The therapist with the certification and experience in healing or treating people with diabetes will be a feasible option to choose. You have to consult with the therapist before the symptoms get worse.