Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter

July 1, 2006                

 Issue Vol. 6 No. 7

In This Newsletter

Introduction

Healthfully yours

Health Hints

 Introduction***

 The Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter is written monthly, solely for information to help seniors, baby boomers and anyone who may have an interest in staying healthy, living a vigorous, active lifestyle and combating the aging process. It does not constitute the practice of medicine and is not meant to prescribe treatments. It is offered strictly as an educational aid. Any medical problems you may have, we recommend that you seek the help of your physician or other healthcare professional. Discussing your intentions with your doctor is always the proper procedure. The newsletter also includes know-how in the form of useful tips and links to more extensive material on the Internet. You may wish to share this newsletter by sending a copy to a friend, neighbor or relative and suggesting they subscribe to it.

This newsletter is scanned for viruses and is virus-free before it is sent to recipients!

 Website: http://www.doctorsexercise.com 

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 E-Mail address: newsletter@doctorsexercise.com

 Healthfully Yours***

 Diabetes… The Silent Killer…

 Type 2 or adult onset diabetes affects approximately 18 million, and possibly more people in the United States. Unfortunately there might be 9 million or more in this group that go undiagnosed. Of this group, their ages will be 60 years or older. There can be another group of approximately 16 million people who are pre-diabetic and are completely unaware that they are a ticking time bomb.

Diabetes is the fifth most common cause of fatalities of all diseases, causing approximately 200,000 to 215,000 deaths in a year. At it’s onset there will be no apparent symptoms associated with the disease. A few symptoms that may be present are so unobtrusive, that the individual will be completely unaware that something is wrong. Frequent heavy urination, and thirst can be two of its earliest symptoms, and are usually ignored.

 The cause of diabetes is the body’s inability to keep up with the sugar (glucose) that is ingested, and will stay in the blood for longer periods of time. The body secrets a hormone called “Insulin” that is manufactured by the pancreas. The onset of diabetes will be caused either by the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (hyperglycemia), or if it does, the body is unable to utilize it in its normal function. When such an insufficiency of insulin, or the deficiency of the body’s ability to utilize it is present, the end result will be that the person becomes diabetic.

 As we age, the risk factors increase in developing diabetes. Researchers are not sure why this is so, but the fact remains that it does. There are other risk factors that may dispose an individual to diabetes. It can be due to a family history of diabetes, or the individual being obese. Certain races, such as African-Americans, Hispanics and Pima Indians are in the higher risk factor and they are apt to become diabetic at younger ages.

 Diabetes is not only a condition of the elderly, but can also start at much earlier ages and will often affect children and young adults. If the disease is discovered in young adults, it can often be treated by diet and exercise. Diet is of course important at any age, and the exercise is a must. The exercise will help the body in its uptake of sugar from the blood by the cells of the body.

 Results of diabetes that is not diagnosed in a timely fashion can be disastrous. Some of the conditions that it can cause are:

1. Affects the eyes that can cause serious vision problems. In extreme cases can lead to blindness.
2. Can have a major affect on the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter impurities in the blood.
3. Can also be a factor in the formation of athersclerosis making it a cardiovascular risk factor?
4. It seriously affects the entire nervous system and causes a neuropathy, particularly of the lower extremities. The feet are seriously affected and plantar ulcers can occur.
5. Circulatory problems are also prevalent and affect the lower extremities as well in serious cases it can result in gangrene and amputation.
6. The body’s immune system becomes impaired and the possibility of infections increases.

 It is amazing that there is so many people who have not been tested for diabetes, so, read more on diabetes in the health hints below.  

 Health Hints***

1. If you have not been tested, make it your number one priority to do so. A tiny pinprick is all it requires. If the results are suspect, the individual will need further testing.
2. If the diagnoses should be diabetes, the individual may best be served by seeing a doctor who specializes in this complex condition.
3. The doctor will determine if the insulin will be needed.
4. The doctor will instruct the patient in the proper diet, and the patient may well be served by also seeking the advice of a nutritionist versed in handling diabetic patients.
5. The patient must start an exercise program if they are not into exercise. This is one of the most important things in treating diabetes.

 Diabetes is a much more complex disease than we have discussed above, and that it deserves serious attention. We have not even scratched the surface of this disease. What it is meant to do is to make those individuals who have never been tested realize how serious it can be, and it is incumbent upon them to do so.

 NOTE: There are many sources where you can get more information about 

              diabetes.

   The  following sites are excellent sources to obtain more information:.

             National Diabetes information Clearinghouse

            1(800) 860-8747 (EST)           http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov

            American Diabetes Association (National Headquarters)

            1(800) 342-2383 (EST)           www.diabetes.org 

             AGS Foundation for Health in Aging

            1(217) 755-6810 (EST)            www.healthinaging.org  

             American Association of Diabetes Educators

            1(800) 338-3633 (CST)             www.diabeteseducator.org

 Doc Cane.