#DiabetesClinicinNaviMumbai

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Successful treatment makes all the difference to long-term health, and achieving balanced diabetes treatment can be the key to living with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Treatment varies for each individual, not simply on the type of diabetes that they have, but also more individual-specific Diabetic treatment differences.

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Can Diabetics ever be off Insulin...? - Sweet Clinics

Living in the diabetic capital of the world, we are all aware of the use of insulin in treating diabetes. Be it in the form of injections, a pen or even through a pump, we know that most people with diabetes need to religiously take their required dosage on time to maintain good health. Now a majority of us only consider insulin treatment for Type 1 diabetes, did you know that even people with Type 2 diabetes may be put on insulin? This may come as a shock for many especially as the belief is that once you are on insulin you are permanently dependent on it. Is this true? Or is it possible for people on insulin to go back to oral medication? Let’s take a look:

Understanding insulin

Insulin is basically a hormone released by the pancreas which helps convert the glucose from our food to energy. However, when this hormone is not produced adequately or used in the right way, it can lead to diabetes. This is because the sugar levels in the blood are not converted into energy. In Type 1 diabetes, the body produces little or no insulin requiring insulin to be taken externally. In Type 2 diabetes, though the body is able to produce the insulin but not process it correctly leading to insulin resistance.

Can I ever stop using insulin?

Type 1 Diabetes

In people with Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas generally produces little or no insulin at all. This leads to very high blood sugar levels which can further damage the pancreas. To keep these levels in check, Type 1 diabetics are insulin dependent on a permanent basis. However, a healthy meal plan and exercise regime can help maintain normal sugar levels and keep the requirement of insulin at a low dosage.

Type 2 Diabetes

Good news for all those stressing about insulin for Type 2 diabetes, you can stop it permanently with a healthy lifestyle! There are certain instances which require Type 2 diabetics to take insulin. These include:

Obesity: Obesity is a major danger sign for people with diabetes. Excess weight gain affects the body’s ability to regulate insulin further worsening blood sugar levels. Obesity also impacts all major organs over time including pancreas further affecting insulin production. In such situations, a person may be put on insulin if oral medication is unable to regulate glucose levels. However, bringing the weight down to a healthy range with regular exercise and a healthy diet can eliminate need for insulin over time.

Infection or health conditions: procedures like surgery or illnesses such as infections, high fever, certain medicines etc. can raise glucose levels significantly requiring additional insulin. To control and manage the situation a person may be put on insulin till the underlying condition is treated. However, once the illness is dealt with and sugar levels are stable in the target range, insulin can be stopped.

Late diagnosis: High glucose levels left untreated can cause severe harm to the pancreas. This worsens its ability to produce insulin further increasing glucose levels. Here the doctor may advise insulin as a temporary solution to bring down glucose levels and then manage it with oral medication.top diabetologist in navi mumbai This is also why an early diagnosis via regular testing is essential!

Gestational diabetes

During pregnancy some women may experience high blood sugar levels. At the time, doctors are likely to suggest insulin to curb these levels and protect the health of mother and child. After completing the pregnancy term, the blood sugar levels should return to normal eliminating the need for insulin.

So we see that as long as our pancreas is able to produce sufficient insulin levels, we don’t need it from external sources on a permanent basis. A healthy diet and lifestyle with a regular exercise regime is a must for healthy insulin levels and to delay or even prevent diabetes. So, if you are on insulin currently talk to your doctor for advice on steps to eliminate it by naturally improving insulin levels.

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What is Type 1 diabetes...?

Type 1 diabetes is a serious, lifelong condition where your blood glucose level is too high because your body can't make a hormone called insulin.

What causes Type 1 diabetes?

About 8 per cent of people with diabetes in the UK have Type 1 diabetes. It’s got nothing to do with diet or lifestyle, it just happens. We're still not sure what causes it.

When you have Type 1 diabetes, your body attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin, so you can't produce any insulin at all.

And we all need insulin to live. It does an essential job. It allows the glucose in our blood to enter our cells and fuel our bodies.

When you have Type 1 diabetes, your body still breaks down the carbohydrate from food and drink and turns it into glucose (sugar). But when the glucose enters your bloodstream, there's no insulin to allow it into your body's cells. More and more glucose then builds up in your bloodstream.

Signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes

So what does this mean? Well, before diagnosis, your body tries to get rid of the glucose through your kidneys, and that makes you wee a lot. This is one of the main symptom of diabetes.

These symptoms tend to come on quickly – over just a few days or weeks. Anyone who has these symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Managing Type 1 diabetes

If you’ve got Type 1 diabetes, you get insulin into your body by injecting it, or using an insulin pump, which delivers a constant supply into you.best diabetologist in navi mumbai .

You’ll also need to check your blood glucose levels are not too low or too high by using a blood glucose testing device several times a day. When you start taking insulin, you’ll begin to feel better and your blood glucose levels will go down.

This is important because over a long period of time, high glucose levels in your blood can seriously damage you heart, your eyes, your feet and your kidneys. These are known as the complications of diabetes.

But with the right treatment and care, the long-term effects of diabetes and high glucose levels can be managed.

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Don’t ignore these 5 lesser known signs of Prediabetes - Sweet Clinics Diabetologist

pre-diabetes has become a raging concern in India with an increasing number of cases being diagnosed. 60% of Prediabetics go on to develop Diabetes. In addition, common symptoms like increased thirst and urination, increased hunger and blurry vision, may have become well known, but it is important to note that these symptoms do not arise overnight, but tend to build up gradually. Further, there are some additional symptoms that may be indicative of high blood sugar, which one would not even think to associate with pre-diabetes.

This could be a major reason why a majority of pre-diabetes cases are still undiagnosed. Here we bring you some of the lesser known symptoms of pre-diabetes that can help you with a timely diagnosis and better management of this condition.

Your vision seems to be changing

You may have heard that blurry vision is a sign of blood sugar levels being higher than normal, but did you know that a sudden improvement in your vision can also indicate abnormal sugar levels? According to research studies, high sugar levels can lead to movement in the bodily fluids including the eyes. This can lead to changes in the vision which may be blurry or more defined. However, the instant you observe any sudden changes in your eyesight, it is advisable to go in for a consultation.

UTI seems to be a frequent occurrence

UTI or Urinary Tract Infection can also be a symptom of elevated sugar levels. Especially if this condition becomes a recurrent concern, doctors advise to instantly check blood glucose levels. When sugar levels in the blood and urine are high, the genitals are more prone to bacterial and yeast infections, upping the risk for UTI.

Skin is constantly itchy

A skin condition is clearly a dermatological issue right, how can it relate to blood sugar? This is a common thought as a large number of people are still unaware of the connection of sugar levels and skin health. High sugar levels can slow down the blood and oxygen circulation in the body, leading to an increase in itchiness especially around the hands, feet and genital areas. If you notice any rashes or experience constant itchiness which doesn’t seem to subside after a couple of days, it may be time to check your sugar levels.

Your TV volume is louder than before

One of the least known symptoms of pre-diabetes is often changes in hearing levels. Without realising you may find yourself talking louder so as to encourage people to talk back at a louder volume. The volume of your music station may be set a little higher than before cause your hearing isn’t as good. In a country as noisy as India, it is easy to attribute this to external sounds. However, it may also be a sign of high blood sugar which can damage the nerves of the inner ear, affecting your ability to hear.

Sleep comes with loud snores

Yes, if you find your partner suddenly complaining about your loud snoring (something you swear you don’t do), it may be time to check your sugar levels. A large number of people with higher sugar levels than normal also develop a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea which leads to disturbed sleep, snoring and often tiredness during the day.

So while it is advisable to look out for common pre-diabetes symptoms, it is essential not to ignore any of the above-mentioned signs either as enable timely diagnosis, it is recommended to get a timely diagnosis and treatment from a Diabetologist in Vashi, as Prediabetes with proper treatment and lifestyle changes can be reversed.

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BASICS OF DIABETES – WHAT IS DIABETES?

India is known as diabetes capital of the world, simply because India has the maximum number of diabetic patients worldwide. In addition to the huge population of 1.25 billion, India has a very high prevalence of Diabetes. Every 8th Indian above the age of 40 years is diabetic. On this World Diabetes Day, I intend to start a series of articles that would make it easy for you to understand what diabetes is, how to prevent it and how to take care of a patient who has developed diabetes. Starting the series with first one on basics of diabetes.

Diabetes is characterized by high levels of glucose in blood, more than 125 mg/dl in fasting condition and more than 200 mg/dl 2 hours post meal (or post glucose challenge when done for diagnosing diabetes). Diabetes is far more than simply high levels of blood glucose. There are variety of causes, associated conditions and complications associated with diabetes. The worst part about diabetes is that the patient usually doesn’t develop any symptoms till the disease is progressed. Once diabetes is diagnosed the patient has to be treated well for prevention of the deadly complications though he may not have any symptoms.

Types of Diabetes

The most common type of diabetes is Type 2 DM constituting about 95% of diabetic patients. We sill restrict our discussion to type 2 DM in this article. Diabetes seen in very young children who are not at risk of type 2 DM is called type 1 DM. Patients of type 1 DM usually require insulin injections and cannot be treated with oral medicines. Some females develop a temporary type of diabetes during pregnancy and is called as gestational diabetes. There are number of other secondary types of diabetes which are rare and may not be discussed here.

What causes Diabetes?

It would be necessary to understand the concept of Insulin Resistance explained in earlier article to understand this. Type 2 DM is a dual defect. In addition to insulin resistance the patient has insulin deficiency. So the body produces less amount of insulin and the insulin produced is not of good quality. Due to shortage of insulin the cells fail to take up glucose and that leads to high levels of glucose circulating in blood.

How does it harm?

On the one hand the cells of body are starving as they cannot take up insulin while on the other hand the high levels of glucose in blood harm other organs. High levels of glucose for a short period may not harm the body unless the levels are very high but in long term it leads to various complications.

What are symptoms of diabetes?

In early stage of diabetes when the blood glucose levels are not very high, the patient may not at all feel anything. If the glucose levels go further high, it is filtered through kidneys. Glucose is passed out through urine, and with osmotic pressure it pulls water out. This leads to frequent urination. Due to frequent urination body is short of water and patient feels thirsty and drinks more water. Though the glucose levels in blood are high, cells are unable to take it up. The cells are starved and that leads to weakness, fatigue. This also passes on signal to brain and leads to excessive hunger. The glucose generated from food that patient takes is passing out through urine. So in spite of excessive eating the patient may start loosing weight. The patient may also feel abnormal sensation in his feet, he may feel dizzy. Wounds may not heal soon and patient gets more prone to number of infections.

What are the complications?

As explained in the article on Insulin Resistance, people with high insulin resistance are prone to atherosclerosis (thickening of arteries supplying blood to various organs).top diabetologist in navi mumbai Due to this the blood supply to various organs is hampered. If small vessels are affected it leads to complications like Neuropathy (abnormal sensation starting with feet usually), retinopathy (which may lead to loss of vision) and Nephropathy (which may lead to kidney failure). If the large vessels are affected it can lead to heart attack, paralysis or gangrene.

How to prevent diabetes?

People with family history of diabetes, obesity, inactivity are at high risk of developing diabetes. Routine check should be done after age of 30 years. A healthy diet with limited carbohydrates (specifically sweets) and high proteins should be consumed. Regular exercise of at least 45 minutes a day is the best for prevention. There are a few drugs that your doctor may prescribe.

How to treat diabetes?

Control high levels of blood glucose is the easiest task that even a pharmacist can do. But treating diabetes is far beyond controlling blood glucose levels. The drugs to be used vary from person the person. An expert in diabetology is the best person to choose drugs for a patient. Wrong choice of drugs may control blood glucose levels in initial stages but may lead to beta cell failure. The most important aspect of treating diabetes is preventing deadly complications that may arise a few years later.

I have tried to summarize everything in a small article. Will now focus of small issues in each new article. Though diabetes is a highly specialized subject I am sure if explained in simple language you would be able to understand good enough of diabetes that is needed to take care of yourselves or your relatives.

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About type 1 diabetes

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar (glucose) level to become too high.

The hormone insulin – produced by the pancreas – is responsible for controlling the amount of glucose in the blood.

There are two main types of diabetes:

Type 1 – where the pancreas doesn't produce any insulin Type 2 – where the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or the body’s cells don't react to insulin.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, but usually appears before the age of 40, particularly in childhood. Around 10% of all diabetes is type 1, but it's the most common type of childhood diabetes. This is why it's sometimes called juvenile diabetes or early-onset diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas (a small gland behind the stomach) doesn't produce any insulin – the hormone that regulates blood glucose levels. This is why it's also sometimes called insulin-dependent diabetes.

If the amount of glucose in the blood is too high, it can, over time, seriously damage the body's organs.

In type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin to function properly, or the body's cells don't react to insulin. Around 90% of adults with diabetes have type 2, and it tends to develop later in life than type 1.

Diabetes symptoms The symptoms of diabetes occur because the lack of insulin means that glucose stays in the blood and isn’t used as fuel for energy.

Your body tries to reduce blood glucose levels by getting rid of the excess glucose in your urine.

Typical symptoms include:

feeling very thirsty passing urine more often than usual, particularly at night feeling very tired weight loss and loss of muscle bulk The symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually develop very quickly in young people (over a few days or weeks). In adults, the symptoms often take longer to develop (a few months).

Causes of type 1 diabetes Type 1 diabetes occurs as a result of the body being unable to produce insulin, which moves glucose out of the blood and into your cells to be used for energy.

Without insulin, your body will break down its own fat and muscle, resulting in weight loss. This can lead to a serious short-term condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, where the bloodstream becomes acidic and you develop dangerous levels of dehydration.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, where the immune system (the body's natural defence against infection and illness) mistakes the cells in your pancreas as harmful and attacks them.

Treating type 1 diabetes It's important that diabetes is diagnosed as early as possible, so that treatment can be started.

Diabetes can't be cured, but treatment aims to keep your blood glucose levels as normal as possible and control your symptoms, to prevent health problems developing later in life.

If you're diagnosed with diabetes, you'll be referred to a diabetes care team for specialist treatment and monitoring.

As your body can't produce insulin, you'll need regular insulin injections to keep your glucose levels normal. You'll be taught how to do this and how to match the insulin you inject to the food you eat, taking into account your blood glucose level and how much exercise you do.

Insulin injections come in several different forms, with each working slightly differently. Some last up to a whole day (long-acting), some last up to eight hours (short-acting) and some work quickly but don't last very long (rapid-acting). You'll most likely need a combination of different insulin preparations.

There are alternatives to insulin injections, but they're only suitable for a small number of patients. They are:

insulin pump therapy – where a small device constantly pumps insulin (at a rate you control) into your bloodstream through a needle that's inserted under the skin famous diabetologist in navi mumbai islet cell transplantation – where healthy insulin-producing cells from the pancreas of a deceased donor are implanted into the pancreas of someone with type 1 diabetes (read about the criteria for having an islet transplant) a complete pancreas transplant

Complications If diabetes is left untreated, it can cause a number of different health problems. Large amounts of glucose can damage blood vessels, nerves and organs.

Even a mildly raised glucose level that doesn't cause any symptoms can have damaging effects in the long term.

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Diabetes Type -2 Overview,Causes,Symptoms

Overview

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose) — an important source of fuel for your body.

With type 2 diabetes, your body either resists the effects of insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells — or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels.

Type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset diabetes, but today more children are being diagnosed with the disorder, probably due to the rise in childhood obesity. There's no cure for type 2 diabetes, but losing weight, eating well and exercising can help manage the disease. If diet and exercise aren't enough to manage your blood sugar well, you may also need diabetes medications or insulin therapy.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly. In fact, you can have type 2 diabetes for years and not know it.Diabetologist in vashi  Look for:

Increased thirst Frequent urination Increased hunger Unintended weight loss Fatigue Blurred vision Slow-healing sores Frequent infections Areas of darkened skin, usually in the armpits and neck

Causes

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. Exactly why this happens is unknown, although genetics and environmental factors, such as being overweight and inactive, seem to be contributing factors.

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A Diabetics guide to fasting – by A Diabetologist & Dietician..! Sweet clinics Diabetologist in Navi Mumbai/Vashi

For Diabetics, managing diet in normal day-to-day life is no child’s play; add to that the twist of fasting is an even very risky affair. Diabetics in general are advised not to do fasting. However, if you still want to venture into fasting there are some important precautions & guideline which diabetics need to follow. As we have highlight in this article. First, we talk about who absolutely cannot do fasting & who can. Followed by the right way to plan fasting with the help of your diabetologist and finally what a diabetic should eat and when. So, let’s get started

Diabetics who should absolutely and Definitely NOT do Fasting Diabetic people who are on insulin treatment should not even think about fasting as they need constant monitoring and any drop or increase in blood sugar can prove fatal. Type 1 diabetics who are inherently dependent on insulin should not fast, sorry but its for your own good. Diabetics who have other medical conditions like cardiac, renal problems need to avoid fasting aswell. Diabetics who are at a risk or prone to both hypo & hyper glycemia should not do fasting. Senior Citizens who are diabetic are advised not to. Diabetics who can do fasting under the observation of a diabetologist: Diabetics who fall in the following category of patients can think of fasting but only if their diabetologist clears them to do so:

Diabetics who have good control on their blood sugar and are not on any high dose of medication can opt for fasting. Diabetics who do not have much fluctuations in their sugar levels can think of fasting. Diabetics who are not at a high risk of hypo-glycemia can fast.

How to go about fasting if you are diabetic: Consult your Diabetologist & get your medications in order: As there will be a change in the food intake there will be a significant change in the blood sugar levels compared to your normal routine. Hence, the dosage of diabetes medications needs to change according. For example, your main medication needs to be shifted according to the time when you will have the proper fasting meal of the day (details below). This change can only be prescribed by your treating diabetologist. Monitor your Blood Sugar Religiously; Diabetics should check their blood sugar at-least 3 times a day or whenever they feel symptoms of hypoglycaemia. Signs of hypoglycaemia include feeling weak and giddy, having palpitations. If they find that the blood sugar is below 80 you need to break your fast and have something to eat ASAP! Like a fresh fruit juice!

Managing Diet when fasting if you are diabetic: The critical challenge for diabetics when fasting is to make sure they don’t go into hypoglycaemia nor should they suffer from hyperglycaemia. For example, Some fasting foods like sabudana (Tapioca) which has a higher glycaemic index if taken in excess can trigger hyperglycaemia While not eating anything for more than 2-3 hours can cause hypoglycaemia. Hence, as suggested earlier its critical to check your blood sugars actively when fasting.

So What should a typical fasting diet include during Navratri; Diabetics cannot do the fasting where no food or water is allowed during day, please don’t. Fortunately fasting in Navratri allows most of us to have fruits and some sattvic foods during the course of the day. it is important to select foods which have a lower glycaemic index for the reason stated above. Nonetheless you can have other foods with higher glycaemic index in moderation aswell so lets dig in Diabetologist in  Vashi

Foreword: Diabetics must make sure that they have something every 2 hours to keep their sugar level maintained. Having Mid-meals like Fresh fruit, Milkshake, Chaas, Shikanji, kheer, Shakarkandi ki chaat or Sabudana wada with dahi can be a good option. Keep the portions balanced depending on your physical activity. Stay Hydrated: Diabetics should have atleast 3 litres of water in a day.

Avoid Caffeine – Tea Cofee – Tea can often cause acidity leading to vomiting and other complications. Just after waking up– Early morning are critical as the blood sugars in general are low so diabetics need to make up for it else can go into hypoglycaemia. Start the day by having either of these. Any Fresh fruit that you like or may have Handful of nuts Overnight soaked almonds with kesar Breakfast– This meal should ideally help your regain your blood sugar levels and also keep you going for the day hence something like Singhare ke pakode Sabudana khichdi Sweet potato with dahi Alu Ki kheer Chana poori and halwa (Yes but on last day! With some moderation) Lunch – For lunch you can have. Rajgira or kuttu or singhare atta ki roti with Alu or arbi sabzi Makhane ki sabzi Kuttu ki kadhi with samo chawal upasacha thalipeeth Dinner – For fasting diabetics, skipping dinner is not an option. Dinner needs to keep your sugars up all night so you the diabetic can stills stand in the morning. A proper fasting meal would be ideal or you could try Samo chawal with dahi Jhangora kheer Paneer ki sabzi with kuttu or singhare or rajgira or banana flour ki roti So have a happy & safe fasting! and remember If you are unsure of how to go about this you can contact your treating diabetologist or contact us 9167444888 on and our inhouse diabetologist & Diet consultant will guide you.

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Risk and dangers of smoking for diabetic patients..!! Sweet clinics

Diabetes is a metabolic cum vascular syndrome of multiple etiology characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both leading to changes in both small blood vessels and large blood vessels

Smoking & Diabetes

Cigarette smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke are associated with premature death from chronic diseases, economic losses to society, and a substantial burden on the health-care system.

In fact, smokers are 30–40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than nonsmokers. Smoking makes the body more resistant to insulin, which can lead to higher blood sugar levels.   Irrespective of the type of diabetes, smoking makes diabetes harder to control.

Risks of smoking

The dangers of smoking include the risk of potentially fatal diseases, such as heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and many types of cancer.  Smoking and diabetes increases the risk of health complications even more.

Smoking causes heart and blood vessel damage

Smoking and diabetes both increase the risk of heart disease in very similar ways, and so when combined, they greatly exacerbate the chances of suffering a heart related condition such as a heart attack or stroke. Both high levels of glucose in the blood and smoking damage the walls of the arteries in such a way that fatty deposits can build up much easier. As this occurs, the blood vessels narrow and make circulating blood much harder. When this happens to the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood and therefore oxygen) a heart attack can occur. Similarly, a stroke is when not enough blood can get to the brain, and so anything that may limit blood flow increases the risks of a stroke.Diabetes Heart care clinic in Navi Mumbai

High blood glucose levels also have an effect on the blood vessels and blood flow, so smoking increases the greater risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.

Smoking causes respiratory diseases

Smoking directly affects the lungs and can lead to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other respiratory diseases. People with these diseases are at higher risk of developing lung infections, such as pneumonia. These infections can be especially dangerous for people with diabetes. Being sick also raises blood sugar levels.

Smoking damages eyes

People with diabetes also have a higher risk of several eye diseases, including cataracts and glaucoma. Poorly controlled diabetes can also lead to an eye condition called diabetic retinopathy. Smoking can accelerate the development of diabetic retinopathy and make it worse. This can eventually lead to blindness.

Conclusion

Recognizing the dangers of smoking and the benefits of quitting is an important first step. Make an appointment with your doctor to learn about the treatment and support options that can help to quit for good. Avoiding tobacco products lowers the risk of complications from diabetes. It can help to limit the damage to organs, blood vessels, and nerves which helps to live a longer and healthier life.

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Exercise a must for people with diabetes..? Sweet clinics

Are you aware that India is the leading country for diabetes in the world? Currently over 60 million Indians suffer from diabetes with a projection of 109 million individuals with diabetes by 2035 as per the Indian Heart Association. That is a lot! Seeing as this condition affects over 7% of India’s adult population it is likely that you know someone with this disease.

Talk to them about their routine or steps they’re talking to manage their condition and they’ll surely tell you an earful. Dietary changes and their meal plans, the medicines they’re taking, how often they’re getting their tests done to check sugar levels and a whole lot more. But ask them about exercising and you’re sure hear something like ‘Oh no, it causes my blood sugar to drop low, or ‘I get too tired to exercise’ or ‘Where is the time’ or even ‘I don’t think I’m strong enough’. While some just don’t understand the importance of an exercise regime with diabetes, some are actually concerned that it may harm their health.

So what’s the verdict? Is exercise a must for diabetics?

The answer is a loud resounding YES!!Exercise actually helps manage your diabetes better by keeping your blood sugar levels in the normal range. Basically, in diabetes, the body has trouble processing insulin. Physical activity promotes insulin absorption in the cells thus avoiding excess insulin levels in the blood.

Another important benefit of exercising is weight control. Obesity is a major factor for diabetes as excess weight leads to increase production of insulin in the body. A regular exercise regime can help keep excess weight off which in turn helps keep diabetes in check.

People with diabetes are also at a higher risk for heart problems and high cholesterol levels. A regular exercise routine helps keep your heart healthy and increases good cholesterol in your body, keeping your levels in check.

Care tips and precautions before starting a new regime

Though exercise helps you lower your blood sugar but exercising when sugars are above 250mg/dl can make your blood glucose levels go higher.

Before you put on your shoes and decide to blast the excess fat away, it is advised to talk to your doctor. He may suggest certain suitable exercises, or change your medication timings to avoid low blood sugar levels or determine when to exercise in the day. He may also suggest certain foods before or after your activity. So be sure to plan your routine and discuss the same with your healthcare provider. In case you are worried about low blood sugar levels, ask for foods to keep with you at all times, especially during a workout.

Also be sure to maintain a journal monitoring your blood glucose levels before your regime and regularly once you start it this will help you and your doctor determine if you are on the right track or need to modify any exercises or medications.

If you are insulin dependent avoid physical activity when you have ketones in the blood or urine.

Which exercises should I do?

Note: Be sure to first discuss this with your doctor. People with additional complications caused due to diabetes may be advised against certain types of exercises.

Depending on your age, exercise history and other factors you can draw up a plan. If you are a beginner, take it slow. You don’t need to compete with your neighbour who looks like he was born lifting weights. Start with some light exercises instead like walking, stretching, climbing stairs, light dancing, yoga etc. and build up your stamina to include more.

In case you have a history of exercising, maybe do something a little more intensive like aerobics, cardio, strength training for improving muscle tension and brisk walking. While it’s always good to push yourself, be careful not to push too far. You can’t go from doing nothing to everything overnight. So take your time and be consistent for healthy blood sugar levels.Diabetologists in Vashi

Also, increase your activity levels throughout the day in simple ways:

Just get up from your couch and take a walk Spend some time playing with your kids in the neighbourhood park Take your pet for a jog in the evenings Ditch the elevators and use the stairs Make it a rule to stand and walk for a minute after every 30 minutes of sitting Walk to your neighbourhood grocery store So whether you have just been diagnosed with diabetes or have been living with it for a long time, exercise is a must. Even if you haven’t done it till now – talk to your doctor and start today! Not only will it help you look younger and healthier but feel better too. And at the same time, help control your insulin levels.