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New Nutrition and Exercise for Diabetics Supports Healthy Lifestyle A new nutrition and exercise program at Canonsburg General Hospital is filling the gap between being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and gaining the necessary support for making lifestyle changes.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into the cells, starving cells of energy. If not properly treated, the increase of glucose, or blood sugar, can cause serious eye problems, nerve, feet or kidney damage and problems with the heart and blood vessels. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), two of the most common causes of type 2 diabetes are being overweight and lack of physical activity. "Treating diabetes is more than just taking medication from your doctor," said Malcolm Gregory, DPT, PhD., physical therapist at the Department of Rehabilitation Services at Canonsburg General Hospital. During the four week program, patients meet with Dr. Gregory and nutritionist, Caren Surlow, chief clinical dietician at Canonsburg General Hospital, to create a plan that will establish healthy habits for exercise and diet. There are normally two sessions a week, each lasting from 30-50 minutes. "When I meet with a patient, I focus on diet changes with an emphasis on the need for exercise," said Surlow. Together, Surlow and the patient create a plan to modify habits for healthier eating. Dietary changes she recommends may include:
In the program, patients also learn how to read labels and control carbohydrate choices for each meal. "Generally, it's good to count carbs, and it's not hard," she said. And while she encourages plenty of vegetables, she said it's important to be aware that starchy vegetables like corn, peas and sweet potatoes should be taken into account when counting carbohydrates. "The goal of the exercise program is to help patients to become independent with an activity program because that is what they need for long term health," said Dr. Gregory. In the gym, Dr. Gregory will have a patient walk on the treadmill to get their heart rate going. For strength training, they will use ankle weights and an elastic band – both very inexpensive ways to get the muscles working, he noted. "I do a series of individualized sessions with each patient to get them to the point where they can safely exercise on their own," he explained. Throughout the program, the patient's heart, blood pressure and glucose levels are monitored at each session. "Patients are often surprised at how quickly exercise can affect their glucose levels" said Dr. Gregory. Current ADA guidelines recommend that patients walk at a moderate pace for about 30 minutes a day, or boost their activity levels by swimming, biking or even raking leaves and gardening. Benefits also come from strength training two to three times per week. Repeated working of the muscles improves the body's ability to use insulin and absorb glucose. "The most important thing is to establish a regular exercise habit" said Dr. Gregory "it can be difficult to get started and keep at it – that's where the program can help" And let's not forget additional benefits of physical activity that include lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke, keeping your heart and bones strong and your joints flexible, reducing body fat and stress levels and lowering the risk of falling. Throughout the program, Surlow stresses the importance of sticking with changes in diet and exercise beyond the four week program to maintain healthy sugar levels. "When weight goes down, blood sugar does down," she concluded. For more information about the nutrition and exercise program at Canonsburg General Hospital, call (724) 745-3919. |
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 Western Pennsylvania Guide to Good Health. All rights reserved. |
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