Some women are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes because
of a syndrome that often goes undiagnosed: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, affects between six and ten percent
of women who are of childbearing age. One of the symptoms of PCOS is
often excess weight gain, with that weight carried around the abdomen.
Reducing the risks of developing type 2 diabetes in women with PCOS
involves, in part, improving insulin sensitivity.
If you have symptoms such as irregular or infrequent menstrual
cycles, acne, excessive body or facial hair, you may have PCOS. PCOS
causes a hormonal imbalance that can cause these types of symptoms. Your
doctor will be able to identify the syndrome and direct you to
appropriate treatment to control the condition and prevent future
complications such as heart disease, infertility, endometrial cancer,
and diabetes.
Women with PCOS should be sure to eat a healthy diet, and include
regular exercise each week. Maintaining a healthy weight, and losing any
extra pounds, will not only help to prevent cardiovascular disease and
diabetes, it will also help to reduce the symptoms associated with PCOS.
There are some women that, even with increased exercise and a healthy
diet, will not lose weight. Will these women still benefit? Studies have
shown that exercising has healthy benefits, regardless of its effect on
weight. Exercise affects how the body metabolizes carbohydrates
(glucose), and improves insulin sensitivity, both of which help to
prevent diabetes from developing. As our body becomes less sensitive to
insulin, the pancreas increases its production of insulin to try to
compensate. By exercising, and improving our body’s sensitivity to
insulin, we keep the pancreas from working overtime.
Losing weight can be particularly important to women, not only for
the health benefits, but also because of the effect on energy and
self-esteem. Even if the exercise does not help you to lose weight in
the short term, it will still have a benefit to your health. Before
starting an exercise program, it is important to check with your doctor.
They may have recommendations on starting a program, or cautions based
on your personal medical history.
There are several ways to start an exercise program; the key is
finding what works for you. You may choose to ride a stationary bike,
swim, walk, or dance.
Walking is a great way to begin a habit of regular exercise. Women
who enjoy a daily walk report feeling better, sleeping better, and
experience less moods swings. Should you decide to start a walking
program, make sure you have a quality pair of walking shoes. Your local
running store can provide you with information on the style of shoe best
for you. When you begin, do not worry about your speed, or how long you
walk. Even a slow-paced walk will be good for your health, and as you
build up stamina, you will be able to increase the length of your walk.
Start out slow, studies show that even a slow-paced walk is good to your
health. As you continue your program, you will probably find your
stamina builds up and you can add more distance to your walk. An
excellent goal to work towards is a thirty-minute walk every day.
About the Author: Elizabeth Radisson is the editor of
Diabetes.OurGoodHealth.org. For more articles on diabetes and related
symptoms and illnesses, head to
Diabetes.OurGoodHealth.org. For more general health information, see
OurGoodHealth.org
