According to the National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2007, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes affects around 7.8 percent of the population in the United States. Diabetes is characterized by the body's inability to use glucose, causing a defect in insulin production. Certain lifestyle changes and exercises, such as yoga, may help to manage symptoms of diabetes.
Features of Diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by symptoms such as a frequent need to urinate, extreme thirst or hunger, unexplained weight loss and feelings of tiredness and fatigue. Type 2 diabetes presents with many of the same symptoms as Type 1, but there are several additional symptoms that may occur, including frequent infections, blurry vision, an impaired healing of cuts and wounds and tingling in your extremities. Also, people with Type 2 diabetes often experience no symptoms, according to the American Diabetes Association. People with both types of diabetes may experience high blood pressure, which may be controlled with medication, exercise and complementary therapies such as yoga, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Some of the symptoms of Type 1 and 2 diabetes may also be helped with alternative treatments such as yoga, in addition to regular medical treatment.
Causes of Diabetes
Although they share similar symptoms, the causes of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are different, according to MayoClinic.com. Type 1 diabetes is caused when your immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin in your pancreas, leaving you insulin-deficient. In type 2 diabetes, your cells develop a resistance to insulin and your pancreas cannot manufacture enough additional insulin to compensate for this deficit.
Treatment of Diabetes
The most effective form of treatment depends on the type of diabetes you have. According to MayoClinic.com, diabetes is most commonly treated through diet, blood sugar monitoring, insulin therapy, certain types of oral medications and, in some cases, a pancreatic transplant. Additionally, exercise is an important component of managing the symptoms of diabetes, as it helps to lower your blood sugar and increase your body's levels of insulin sensitivity. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, one exercise that may prove beneficial as a complementary therapy to your normal medical treatment is yoga.
Benefits of Yoga
Yoga offers a beneficial way to de-stress, relax and maintain levels of physical activity. According to an article by endocrinologist and diabetologist Sujit Chandratreya, M.D., for Yoga Point, regular yoga practice may help to regulate blood sugar levels, assist with maintaining a healthy weight and reduce blood pressure. Additionally, relaxation techniques and stress management are recommended by MayoClinic.com as helpful lifestyle changes for managing diabetes symptoms.
Warning
While yoga cannot cure diabetes, it can help in that it offers ways of managing your symptoms. Never use alternative or holistic health care practices in place of or as a substitute for regular medical care. Always consult your doctor prior to beginning an exercise program. If you are new to yoga, consult a qualified yoga practitioner for instruction on proper form and technique.
