Recently been Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes?

The Ins and outs of Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body gradually loses the capacity to produce enough insulin in the pancreas. It can also be diagnosed if insulin produced in the pancreas does not work efficiently or the cells in the body do not respond to insulin effectively (known as insulin resistance).

Risk Factors

The condition has strong genetic (non-modifiable) risk factors but can also be associated with modifiable lifestyle risk factors.

The most common are:

• Weight: being overweight or obese is a main risk

• Inactivity

• Age: the risk increases as we age

• Race and ethnicity

• Pregnancy related risks: gestational diabetes diagnosis or giving birth to baby weighing more than 4kg

• Prediabetes diagnosis

Complications of Diabetes

There are several complications of diabetes outlined below.

Cardiovascular diseases:

• Hypertension - high blood pressure

• Atherosclerosis - build-up of fatty plaques in artery walls

• Peripheral Artery Disease - narrowing of arteries which leads to decreased blood flow to the limbs

• Diabetic myocardial dysfunction - heart and vessels of the heart damaged

Retinopathy: Damage to retina of the eyes

Neuropathies:

• Peripheral - weakness, numbness and pain from nerve damage, usually to hands and feet

• Autonomic - damage to nerve that manages internal organs for everyday functions

Nephropathy (kidney disease): Loss of kidney function

Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes can be managed through lifestyle modifications and medication. Effectively managing diabetes through regular exercise, healthy eating and weight reduction is the best way to prevent diabetes-related complications.

Benefits of Exercise for Type 2 Diabetes

Exercise plays a crucial role in the short and long term management of Diabetes. Exercise can be utilised as a means of reducing blood sugar levels. After any bout of exercise, there are 3 main responses that allow the uptake of sugars:

• Immediate use of glucose as fuel during exercise

• Storage of glucose - the muscles become depleted of glucose and are ready to refuel the muscles cells post exercises taking more glucose from the blood stream.

• Insulin sensitivity - improved use of insulin that is available which allows for greater uptake of glucose. The duration of this benefit can last anywhere between 24 to 72 hours after a single exercise session. The duration of these effects can vary from person to person and is also dependent upon the intensity and duration of exercise.

Exercise Precautions

Monitoring your BGLs before and after exercise is important as exercise affects everyone differently. Having a light meal with adequate carbohydrates 45 - 60 minutes before exercise will assist with preventing a hypo from occurring during exercise.

It is important if you are a hypo risk that you have your hypo kit on hand whilst exercising in case your BGL drop too low allowing for rapid response. Medications may need adjusting over time so be sure to check in with your GP or Diabetes Educator frequently.

Do you want to know the best types of exercise for your diabetes? Contact the team at BCEP or join our next BEAT IT Program.

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