Non-pharmacological Approach to Diabetics



What Diabetes really is 

It is a disorder of the metabolism causing excessive thirst and the production of large amounts of urine.Diabetes Mellitus or simply diabetes, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in Insulin production or it’s action or both. These effective exercise ensure both musculoskeletal and cardio-respiratory fitness.


Diabetes epidemic is increasing in size and complexity day by day, which increases the realization that physicians alone are unable to provide the care required by the people affected with diabetes. Only a multi-disciplinary team approach can prevent, control and treat diabetes and other complications caused by it. Physiotherapists can assess, diagnose, treat and manage musculoskeletal manifestations and other complications associated to diabetes.

 How Physiotherapy works in Diabetes


Lifestyle modification and Exercises 

Lifestyle modification includes intensive exercise, is more effective in case of preventing diabetes than pharmacological approach. Many diabetics are overweight and have joint or cardiovascular problems. Physiotherapists are able to help people to plan an individual and optimized exercise programe in order to maintain normal blood glucose level and to achieve optimal weight.



Neurological impairment 

Diabetic amyotrophy is a type of neuropathy that involves muscle wasting and weakening specially at the thighs. Diabetic neuropathy, Carpal tunnel syndrome and sciatica are other neurological conditions that are common in diabetic patients. Physiotherapy has a major role in management of these conditions too.
Diabetic amyotrophy


Pain management 

Most people with diabetes suffer from musculoskeletal conditions like frozen shoulder, back pain or osteoarthritis. Sometime diabetes - induced obesity also leads to knee pain, ankle pain etc. Physiotherapy offers various effective non-pharmacological approaches for pain relief. Diabetics often have pain from several conditions including nerve impairment, musculoskeletal conditions, etc which can be controlled and eliminate by sensory desensitization, T.E.N.S, I.F.T, U.S.T, Wax bath, Cryotherapy, Whirlpool bath and specialized exercise protocols. 

T.E.N.S in back pain
I.F.T in shoulder

Skin care

Diabetics are more prone to develop skin wounds like cuts, blisters, ulcers, pressure sore. Counseling of the patient on skin care, wound care, pressure point avoidance and spotting trouble signs in important. In case of existing wound, wound debridement and management for ulceration is necessary.   

Diabetic Foot and Foot care

A physiotherapist plays an important role in preventing and managing foot problems. It starts with selecting proper footwear, modification of shoe, use of crutches or splints to walking, re-training, teaching proper gait and posture along with proper off-loading for early healing. Unfortunate people who have undergone an amputation, the physiotherapist helps with post-operative pain relief, rehabilitation, limitation of disability and the optimum use of prostheses.

Diabetic shoe


Another approach towards diabetes is supporting diabetics and encouraging healthy eating habits, avoid high sugar contained foods or drinks, stop smoking and alcohol intake. Plan them an exercise program and encourage them to do it every day or alternatively.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Treatment of Facial Paralysis

Image
  What is facial paralysis Facial paralysis occurs when a person is no longer able to move some or all of the muscles on one side of the face because of nerve damage . Your facial muscles droops or become weak.  This condition typically caused by: infection or inflammation of the  facial nerve head trauma head or neck tumor stroke Facial paralysis can come on suddenly (in the case of Bell’s palsy, for example) or can happen gradually over a period of months (in the case of a  head  or neck tumor). Depending on the cause, the paralysis might last a short or extended period of time. Facial palsy   Facial palsy   is condition in which there is lesion of the facial nerve and the resultant paralysis in the muscles that it supplies.  Bell's palsy This is a common acute, isolated facial nerve palsy believed to be due to viral infection (most probably herpes simplex) that causes swelling of the nerve within the p...
Read more

Prevention and Curative exercises for Frozen Shoulder

Image
Shoulder pain is a common condition which can arise due to many anomalies, like  Rotator cuff injury, Bursitis (sub-deltoid.sub-acromial), Tendinitis , Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid  arthritis etc. Apart from those reasons referred pain can also be felt at the shoulder area due to the conditions like cervical 4,5,6 nerve root compression, right shoulder pain due to gall bladder problems, left shoulder pain due to heart conditions and problems in thyroid gland, acromio-clavicular, sterno-clavicular joint. Diabetic people are very prone to suffer from shoulder pain. But the most common cause of shoulder pain that can disable you is Frozen Shoulder aka Adhesive Capsulitis . This is a condition in which persisting all day pain with restriction of shoulder joint movement are present together. What can cause Frozen shoulder ? If the normal shoulder joint movement reduces due to pain or injury or any chronic disease, then frozen shoulder can arise. The main causes can b...
Read more

The neck exercises to cure neckpain, cervical spondylosis, cervical dics problem

Image
Neck Strengthening / Static Neck Exercises Neck strengthening exercises are designed to improve the strength of the neck muscles.These exercises are indicated in the conditions like neck pain , postural neck pain , cervical disc problem and cervical degenerative conditions.  The following advanced neck strengthening exercises should be performed approximately 3 times daily. As your neck strength improves, the exercises can be progressed by gradually increasing the repetitions, frequency,strength of contraction or duration of the exercises provided they do not cause or increase pain.                                                           1.Static Extension (fig. 1) Begin this neck exercise sitting or standing erect with your back and neck straight, shoulders should be slightly retracted. Place your hand (single or both) ...
Read more