How to Walk Away From Diabetes

How to Walk Away From Diabetes

It’s a silent killer, one that could end up killing you without actually taking your life. If you are affected by Type II diabetes, your life could become a living hell if you are not careful. Your organs are at risk for failure, especially your kidneys and your eyes. Your feet are likely to develop sores that do not heal if you are not particular about your hygiene. And your chances of heart disease and stroke increase if you are overweight and not selective about your diet.

The saving grace about Type II diabetes however is that it is preventable and manageable, and that with just a few changes in your lifestyle, you can easily keep it at bay. Regular exercise is a must when you are a diabetic, and one of the easiest, safest and most sustainable forms of working out is walking. When you spend just half an hour to 60 minutes taking a brisk walk, you gain a host of benefits:

* For starters, you burn calories and help to keep your weight under control. When you prevent obesity, you avoid most of the complications and health problems that come with diabetes.
* Walking is a safe exercise where you don’t have to exert yourself too much. Some diabetics are prone to fainting spells if they tax themselves while working out and their blood sugar becomes low leading to hypoglycemia.
* Walking helps regulate your blood sugar – when you exercise, your muscles absorb the sugar in the food you eat instead of letting it circulate and build up in your blood stream.
* When you walk briskly for 30 to 45 minutes every day, you improve your cardiovascular fitness and so decrease your risk of succumbing to a heart attack or being affected by a stroke. Regular exercise helps you condition your heart and keep it fit and healthy.

Before you begin to walk, ensure that:

* You get the go-ahead from your doctor.
* You wear comfortable cotton clothes that absorb sweat and that are not restrictive.
* You invest in a comfortable pair of shoes that are neither too tight nor too loose.
* You wear socks with your shoes.
* You change your socks every day and keep your feet clean and free from sores and dirt.

Once you get used to walking every day, it’s easy to walk away from the pain and angst of diabetes.

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This guest article was written by Amy S. Cook, who regularly writes on the topic of lvn to rn . She welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: amyscook@yahoo.com