Type 2 Diabetes

At the turn of this century, diabetes has hit epidemic proportions and has led health organizations of many countries to focus on this disease. More than 30 million Americans are living with diabetes today, not counting 84 million who have prediabetes. 5% percent of people who are diagnosed have type 2 diabetes. And that is just counting present numbers. A recent 2017 study published in Population Health Management foresees diabetes increasing 54% between 2015 and 2030.

For those who don’t have this terrible disease, type 2 diabetes is when someone’s pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the body doesn’t react correctly to insulin, known as insulin resistance. Coast Spas knows that if left untreated, this disease can cause severe and permanent damage to the body:

• Kidney Failure: Can damage the delicate filtering system by disrupting the tiny blood vessels that filter toxins or waste from your blood.
• Heart Disease: Increases risk of coronary artery disease, angina, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke and narrowing of arteries.
• Foot Nerve Damage: Poor blood flow in your feet can damage nerve endings in your feet. Cuts and scrapes
• Hearing Loss: Research has suggested reduced supply of blood and oxygen to the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear, caused by high blood glucose levels, can permanently damage someone’s hearing.
• Eye Damage: Can damage blood vessels in your retina and increase the risk of other eye disorders such as cataracts and glaucoma
• Alzheimer’s Disease: Research has seen a correlation between poor blood sugar control and a higher risk of the Alzheimer’s.

Scary stuff for someone recently diagnosed or having trouble regulating their condition.

Risk factors for getting type 2 diabetes has been credited to lifestyle, such as inactivity and being overweight. The solution? We’re all told that cutting alcohol, eating healthy, and an active lifestyle helps to keep the pounds off, but what happens if you have mobility issues and are not able to exercise in a conventional manner? It appears Dr. Steve Faulkner of Loughborough University has been conducting some insightful research.

For over half a decade, he and his team investigated if there were any other options to exercise for helping people control their condition. His research uncovered a soak in hot water, such as a hot tub, reduced peak blood sugar levels by 10 percent and burned energy by an increase of 80 percent, using 126 calories per hour. This brought more results compared to someone cycling for an hour. Dr. Faulkner and his team believe these tub benefits are caused by the water encouraging the release of heat shock proteins, which could help lower blood sugar levels by helping control insulin-controlled glucose uptake.  Overall, the research suggests that passive heating, such as a bath, can increase the rate people burn calories and may help to reduce blood sugar spikes after eating.

At the End of The Day, a healthy diet and increased exercise have been recommended to maintain type 2 diabetes.

If you do have diabetes consult your physician to see if hydrotherapy is right for you.