Diabetes

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious complex condition in which a person has high blood sugar, due to the body not producing enough, or not responding to a hormone called insulin. Insulin is responsible for the conversion of glucose into energy. When this process does not work effectively, glucose remains in the bloodstream resulting in high blood sugar levels. Diabetes can lead to further complications if not managed properly.

Without optimal management and treatment, this can lead to further complications such as:

• heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease
• nerve, foot, kidney and eye damage
• skin and mouth conditions
• hearing impairment
• depression and mental ill-health

There are 3 types of diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes: occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin. Represents approximately 10% of all cases of diabetes and is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions.

Type 2 Diabetes: is diagnosed when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin and/or the body’s cells do not respond to insulin effectively.  Represents 85-90% of all cases of diabetes

Gestational Diabetes: is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. This often resolves after the baby is born; however, some women will continue to have high blood glucose levels postpartum. Between 12% and 14% of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes and typically occurs around the 24^th to 28^th week of pregnancy.

How can Activate Health help you?

Here at Activate Health we are passionate about providing top quality Exercise Physiology to ensure all our clients receive the care and outcomes they deserve. Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP’s) are trained to provide evidence-based exercise interventions to individuals at high risk of developing, or with existing, chronic conditions and injuries.

Exercise is clinically proven and recommended to manage Diabetes. Primarily exercise can help to reduce excess blood glucose and help to increase the body’s ability to process it – which may help to reduce reliance on medication for some clients.  Exercise also helps to reduce body fat and increase muscle mass, increasing the body’s overall metabolism, further helping to reduce excess blood glucose.

Group Allied Health Services for Type 2 Diabetes

The Type 2 Diabetes Group Services initiative provides one Private Consultation and 8 Group sessions for an Exercise Physiologist. These can be used to participate in any of our Activate Health Group Exercise session. The private consultation can be used for health assessment and education, and to determine to class ability type that best suits the patient. These can include in gym classes of different abilities (seated and gentle, up to active and functional) and Hydrotherapy. Classes consist of 2 to 12 participants and are taken by an Accredited Exericse physiologist experienced with exercise and Diabetes management. Talk to you Doctor today to request a Diabetes Care Plan referral for a bulk billed consultation and 8 free group exercise sessions here at Activate Health.

See further information on the types of classes that will benefit from you on our Group Exercise page

Also, the My Health for Life Program is a free program designed by Diabetes Australia for those at risk of developing type 2 Diabetes. Call Activate Health for more information.