Steps to keep diabetes in check

Dr RN Mehrotra highlights significance of exercise for diabetics

The Public Garden Walkers’ Association’s 240th monthly health lecture was given by senior consultant endocrinologist from Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad Dr RN Mehrotra. Dr Mehrotra spoke on the importance of exercise in diabetes in his lecture titled, ‘Step Into Park: Walk To Stop Diabetes’. “In a patient with diabetes the insulin produced is not in required quantity and the body is not able to promote the uptake of glucose.

This results in rise in blood glucose values, which if not corrected leads to organ damage,” he explained Explaining the role of exercise for such patients, he said, “It helps improve insulin action because of muscle work that activates transporters for glucose in the body. It also produces chemical messengers, which improve insulin action.”

Before starting exercise a diabetes patient should be careful of certain facts

a. Patients who have any heart problem should discuss with their cardiologist and find out to what level they can do exercise.

b. Those who have uncontrolled sugars must get in under control by modifying medications and diet.

c. those who have had retinal haemorrhage (bleeding into the retina) or have severe proteinuria (losing protein in the urine)

d. those who have peripheral neuropathy, meaning the normal touch and feel sensation is not there on their feet , they have to be extra careful as walking can lead to ulcer formation in their feet.

e. Do not go for walking on empty stomach. Take a small snack before starting. During exercise always carry some glucose or sugar in your pockets. If ones feels weakness or sweating —stop immediately and take glucose or sugar.

Morning walkers, general public and members of PGWA including Ghulam Yazdani, Chairman; Pramod Kumar Kedia, Vice President; Dr Purshottam Das, Gen. Secretary; Vishwanath Agarwal, Jt Secretary; Sohanlal Kadel, Jt Secretary; BL Pershad Jaiswal, Treasurer; Prof Mohd Masood Ahmed, Health Care Advisor and Patrons B Sreekanth Reddy and G Ekember Reddy, were present on the occasion.