|  | Conditions Treatments | Diabetes

How the Environment Affects Diabetes

There are several types of Diabetes Mellitus: Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is insulin dependent and is an autoimmune disease. Type 1 generally is diagnosed as a child or young adult. Type 2 Diabetes is non-insulin dependent and occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin. Gestational Diabetes arises for the first time during a woman's pregnancy. The environment plays an important role in how diabetes may affect an individual.

  1. Diet and Diabetes

    • Managing weight and keeping excess pounds at a minimum is important in controlling diabetes and complications like cardiovascular disease and kidney disorders. A diet high in animal fats, refined carbohydrates, and sodium will contribute to diabetes related symptoms and weight-gain. Eating a diet high in complex carbohydrates and fiber like fruits, vegetables and beans while limiting animal fats, cholesterol and sodium will help lower blood pressure, minimize insulin-resistance and cell damage, and control blood sugar and fat levels.

    Physical Activity and Diabetes

    • Inactivity increases weight gain, a risk factor for the onset of Type 2 Diabetes. Exercise affects the symptoms of diabetes in several ways. Physical activity helps to lower blood sugar levels by utilizing excess sugar from carbohydrates in the body. It also helps to decrease insulin resistance lessening the need for insulin. Exercise helps promote weight-loss while increasing physical fitness levels and improving intolerance to sugar. With a proper diet, physical activity can help manage diabetes.

    Smoking and Diabetes

    • Smoking, even secondhand smoke affects diabetics negatively by creating additional insulin resistance and inflammation of the cells lining the arteries contributing to damage of the cardiovascular system. It is important to quit smoking in order to control blood sugar responses and manage complications associated with diabetes.

    Pollution and Diabetes

    • More studies are starting to show that pollution can affect the symptoms of diabetes by increasing inflammation and contributing to weight gain. People who live in urban areas are more likely to breathe polluted air, which is believed to be a factor in insulin resistance. Moreover, diabetics have a harder time controlling blood flow during times where air pollution is increased leading to intensified cardiovascular problems.

    Stress and Diabetes

    • Stress can be caused by a reaction to the environment. This may affect people with diabetes in several ways. Aside from increased cortisol levels, which contribute to weight-gain, a stressed person may consume more alcohol or fattening foods to cope. Mental and physical stress can raise blood sugar levels causing poor regulation. Also, if someone is overly stressed, they may forget to take care of themselves leading to a poor diet, physical inactivity, unregulated blood sugar, skipping medications, and depression, all further exacerbating the symptoms of diabetes.

    Tips

    • It may be difficult to control where you live or how you react to certain stressors, but you can control what you consume, how often you exercise, exposure to smoke, and stress reduction techniques. Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables and naturally you will get more fiber and eat less animal fats. Walk at least 2.5 hours per week and participate in activities that help reduce your stress.

Diabetes - Related Articles