500,000 Australians could have Type 2 DIABETES but don’t know it and a large portion of them are made up of over 50’s.
Type 2 Diabetes is characterised by a reduction in insulin production and the inability of the body to respond to insulin. Over 1 million Australians have been diagnosed with it and the chance of Type 2 Diabetes increases with age. Diabetes is known as the invisible disease as it cannot be seen if anyone has it and therefore the health effects of it are often underestimated and failure to manage and treat this condition ongoing can lead to a higher risk of;
• Heart attacks and strokes
• Blindness
• Kidney damage
• Amputations
Type 2 Diabetes is considered a lifestyle disease, due to its onset being the result of a poor diet and a lack of physical activity. Other causes of Type 2 Diabetes include age and obesity. Diabetes cannot be cured, however it can be managed by improving the same factors which contributed to its cause (diet and physical activity) and in turn prevent the above mentioned health complications. Those with Type 2 Diabetes are encouraged to perform regular physical activity including a combination of resistance and aerobic training. Resistance training has been found to be especially helpful for those with Type 2 Diabetes among other issues facing over 50’s, it increases insulin receptor sensitivity and as your strength increases, the ability of your muscles to store glucose increases meaning your body is better able to regulate its blood sugar levels. We recommend Aerobic exercise in conjunction with this for added benefits.
Benefits you can expect from exercise;
• Reducing your risk of heart disease
• Helps to control blood pressure
• Increasing your levels of good cholesterol and reducing bad cholesterol levels
• Improving bone density
• Preventing loss of muscle mass due to age
Up to 500,000 Australians may have silent, undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes. They may have Type 2 Diabetes for up to seven years before it is diagnosed. During this time Type 2 Diabetes may be damaging their blood vessels and nerves and causing vision loss, amputations, heart attacks, stroke and kidney damage. If you or someone you know has diabetes or is at risk of developing it, please come and speak to one of our team at Duke’s to discuss how the condition can be better managed with exercise and lifestyle modifications.
