Physiotherapy

You might feel healthy and invincible. You might even eat quite well with only the odd splurge. The fact is that the rate of diabetes is rising at an unprecedented level.   Data compiled by Diabetes Queensland have recorded an enormous 28% increase in diabetes since 2007.

I’m asked frequently why I take this disease so seriously.  People say, my levels [blood sugar] aren’t too bad, I’m only a little overweight; I guess I probably should do a bit more exercise.  My answer is quite sobering to most, and even horrifying to others.  I see diabetics on a daily basis and it doesn’t take long to realise why it is so dangerous.  Diabetes doesn’t generally hurt.  Unless completely out of control it may not even produce any symptoms, so what’s the worst thing that could happen?

That extra bit of sugar floating around in your blood is very dangerous.  It can be likened to shards of glass that can cut into the vessel wall.  This can eventually cause blockages.  If this blockage occurs in your heart you could have a heart attack.  This is why 80% of people with type II diabetes die of heart disease.  If it happens in your eye you could get retinopathy that can affect your sight forever.  It can affect your peripherals, most commonly the feet.  You might need to get a toe cut off in one month, the foot the following month and then the whole leg a few months after that.  This was the fate of just one lady.  So yes, the extra sugar in your blood is doing significant damage.

Type II diabetes does not yet have a ‘cure’, although it is reversible.  Yes there is light at the end of the tunnel if you have type II diabetes.  This light is what the right amount of exercise and a correctly designed nutritional intake can deliver.  The correct ‘dose’ of exercise will be prescribed to you during your supervised session with the exercise physiologist and a scientifically based diet will be designed by the dietician.  With these two professionals at your disposal you have an endless source of resources and encouragement.

Your mission, should you wish to accept is to reduce your stomach girth to less than 94 centimetres for men and 80 centimetres for woman.  For additional support look under the ‘Events’ tab to see if the group diabetes class is running in your area.  If not, send us a comment (ADD A LINK TO THE COMMENTS PAGE HERE).

Click on the link below to watch an animation of Dr Oz explain what diabetes does in your blood stream.  http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Dr-Oz-Explains-What-Diabetes-Does-to-Your-Body-Video