Sports Can Help: Risk Factor Diabetes

This article has been published in the German magazine "aktiv dabei" by the sports society for the handicapped in North-Rhine Westphalia.

The German society for diabetics thinks that 5.7 million people in Germany suffer from diabetes mellitus. Sports can help to better control this disease.

01/08/2005

The earlier diabetes is diagnosed and treated the less harm is done to the body. That is why one should go to the doctors straight away when first signs of diabetes occur.

One early sign is great thirst and urgent need to urinate. Feeling tired, blury sight and difficulties concentrating are also warning signals. Additionaly, problems with the skin and the healing of wounds as well as infections of the urinary tracts should cause raised attention.

The worst with diabetes are the long-term consequences and complications. Blood sugar that is too high leads to the damage of organs. In particular the problems with the cardiovsacular system and strokes are important factors. The sad truth: 75% of deaths in diabetics are caused by these illnesses. On top of that, people with diabetes are prone to kidney, skin, and eye problems.

The general practitioner will decide on what treatments to take. Many times it is sufficient to take care of a balanced diet and to keep fit through sports in order to reduce blood sugar levels. This is due to the fact that when being physically active the body burns sugar. In that way everybody can contribute with easy measures to combat the illness.

Especially suited for diabetics are sports such as hiking, walking, cycling, jogging, swimming or cross-country skiing in the winter - practiced with little to medium intensity.

That is so because:

• the intensity of the sports can be controlled very well,


• these sports influence the whole cardiovascular system positively and impose little risk of injury,


• blood pressure rises little

But many things are to be considered in order for the physical activities to show their positive effects. Blood sugar reduction through sports is welcome, but those that inject insulin or take tablets are in danger of hypoglycaemia - having too little blood sugar levels, if the strain is too high. Through a changed dosage of the medicine and eating carbohydrates that work slowly, this danger can be minimised. Anyway, for an emergency situation some grape-sugar or fruit juice should be near in order to prevent hypoglycaemia.

Before starting to do sports the patient should be advised by a doctor. Also, the patient should join a sports group that is led by a specially educated physiotherapist.

© aktiv dabei
Translation into English: REHACARE.de