Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, also known as type 1 diabetes, causes severe neurological and cardiovascular disorders. Insulin plays a crucial role in maintaining glucose levels within the circulatory system. Glucose levels that are unregulated in the DM 1 patient may lead to possible life threatening situations.These situations can be either acute, such as diabetic (hyperglycemic) coma; or chronic, such as distal neuropathy and atherosclerosis. The proper education of exercise, nutrition, and monitoring of blood glucose levels is crucial. Physical therapists should necessitate this education for our patients that their acts are imperative to a healthy life.
Diabetes is a condition that can be managed to an extent. Management will reduce the health care costs and promote longevity to our patient’s lives. The role of our profession in patient education is important. Exercise and nutrition has shown to reduce the amounts of insulin required for our bodies.
As physical therapists, we must promote the benefits of exercise and nutrition to diabetes patients.The relationship between exercise, blood glucose, and insulin will be broken down into the following categories: exercise and it’s effects on blood glucose, exercise and it’s effects on insulin, and insulin and it’s effects on blood glucose. These categories will demonstrate the effects of pharmacologic interventions and non-pharmacologic interventions on diabetes.The best possible solution for control of blood glucose levels will be explored. This will demonstrate the importance of insulin injections vs. nutrition/exercise and their effects on blood glucose levels. The final section of this mini-paper will discuss the appropriate regime to be used for a patient with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM).
