Reducing Diabetic Mortality

07/03/08 Type II Diabetes

Regular exercise could mean the difference between life and death for men with type 2 diabetes.

A study presented at the 90th Annual Endocrine Society Conference found men with type 2 diabetes who exercised regularly, regardless of weight, had a lower death rate than those who did not exercise regularly.

The study made statistical adjustments for cardiac and other multi-system disorders affecting physical status. Even then, the greater the fitness level, the lower the risk of death.

Obesity and inactivity are rapidly becoming the leading causes of type 2 diabetes. Controlling weight is important, but getting off the couch is more so. There are few conditions which prohibit moderate exercise. That’s why cardiac rehabilitation programs have become so strenuously advocated by cardiologists.

Before you start making excuses about how you don’t have enough time, let me paraphrase a cartoon I saw recently: Would you rather exercise a few hours a week, or be dead 24 hours a day? Time constraints and physical limitations like neuropathies, decreased vision, and heart disease can all be accommodated with a proper exercise program. Speak to your physician about a medically monitored program or check out your local gym. Fees are sometimes lower than $20 a month at your local YMCA and at least one national franchise that I know of.

One program suggest walking briskly for about 130 minutes a week works out to around 16 minutes a day, five days a week—which goes to show exercise doesn’t have to take all day. You can do that by walking to the store or around the block!

While this research focused on men, it’s hard to believe it wouldn’t have a strong correlation to women. While the causes of type 1 and type 2 differ, every diabetic should exercise regularly to maintain health in their bodies and limbs as well as an overall higher quality of life.

Corie Richter is a nurse and physician's assistant who started her career as a health educator. The survivor of a myocardial infarction (heart attack) and partially successful quadruple bypass surgery, she did not let her health challenges hamper her. Neither the limitations of spinal surgery nor of diabetes have deterred her from a mission of service. She now encourages others through writing and speaking engagements to master their disabilities through education and a proactive attitude.