Am I At Risk of Getting Type 2 Diabetes?

DIABETES AWARENESS WEEK 12th JUNE 2023

This week is diabetes awareness week in the UK, and it is a good time to reflect on this common condition. At the Hogarth it is diabetes week every week as exercise and nutrition is a big part of helping manage it. Every new member will get asked if they have diabetes in their gym consultations and fitness plans are created with combatting it in mind by your trainers. Untreated, it can lead to serious health problems damaging your heart, eyes, kidneys, and feet.

WHAT IS TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES?

You would have heard of diabetes - diabetes mellitus is its official title - but what is it exactly? It is when our blood glucose levels are too high because there is an issue with your insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas which helps regulate the glucose in your body so if it is malfunctioning it can lead to serious issues. The two most common versions are known as Type 1 and Type 2.

According to Diabetes UK 1 in 15 people have it with an estimated 1 million having undiagnosed type 2.

Type 1 is diagnosed when you cannot produce any insulin at all, people will then have to take insulin to manage it. It is taken via an injection or a pump. There is no cure currently. Children are most commonly diagnosed with Type 1.

Type 2 is always the more common of the two and it means you are not producing enough insulin or what is produced is not functioning correctly.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES?

According to the NHS symptoms of diabetes which may require a visit to the GP include:

• Being very thirsty

• Peeing more often than usual, especially at night.

• Feeling very tired

• Loss of weight or drop in muscle bulk

• Itching around the genitalia or frequent bouts of thrush

• Blurred vision

AM I AT RISK OF CONTRACTING TYPE 2 DIABETES?

You cannot affect Type 1 with lifestyle changes but you can with Type 2. The following puts you at higher risk of Diabetes Type 2:

• Unhealthy eating

• Lack of exercise

• Overweight

• Family history

• Asian, Black African or African Caribbean ethnic origins

• Use of steroids

• High hypertension

• Gestational diabetes during pregnancy

HOW CAN I AVOID OR HELP MANAGE TYPE 2 DIABETES?

A healthy weight can help lower your risk so nutrition is the key in making inroads. In addition to a healthy balanced diet, exercise is always recommended. Hi, did we mention the Hogarth Health Club… Training will improve your insulin sensitivity so your system will function more efficiently. Aerobic exercise such as a swim, walk or cycle will boost your heart health. Always supplement cardiovascular training with a strength plan to maximise benefits. Helping reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol are further complications which can be mitigated proactively. Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake is also recommended.

There is no one type of exercise which is most suitable to help your diabetes. Your trainer can create a personal programme which will take into account your history, current fitness levels and preferences to concoct a fun and rewarding routine for you.

HOW CAN THE HOGARTH HELP?

Every new member will get asked if they have diabetes in their gym consultations and fitness plans are created with combatting it in mind by your trainers.

The gym team can also conduct glucose testing, which is available to all members. It is a quick blood screening test which will give you a result within seconds so you can check your blood glucose levels. Whether you have never done it before and would like to check in or have been coping for a long time and would like to check in please feel free to contact the gym desk to book in.

Being diagnosed with any condition can be scary. Hopefully this blog has shown you what diabetes is about, how you can spot signs of it, what you can do about it and what support is on offer at The Hogarth so we can help you thrive for a long time to come. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to us, we are here for you.