Fact Sheet
w w w. d m h c a r e s . c o m
the Blues
Walk Away Diabetes Fact Sheet
What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly
Improve Your Mood Through Regularpancreas that the body uses to convert the
use insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by the Daily Walks
food that you eat into energy needed for daily life.1
Did you know that taking a brisk walk can brighten your mood?
Within just ten minutes of walking, you can begin to feel your
Who has or is at risk for developing diabetes? Diabetes currently affects 20.8 million children
mood improve. 1
and adults in the United States or approximately 7% of the population. While we are all at
risk for developing diabetes, there are some of us or any other
What’s behind the mood brightening affect of walking who are at a greater risk because of the fol-
exercise? Experts agree that the positive influence of exercise on
lowing known risk factors:
your emotional well-being is probably multifactorial.
• Family history
• Overweight/obesity as an adult or as serotonin,
Besides the “feel good” impact of endorphins and a child brain
Come,
• that are inactivity
chemicalsPhysical released when exercising, your mood may be
• Gestational diabetes increased blood flow walking
elevated by the extra energy and(diabetes during pregnancy)
to Ethnicity (Diabetes is more common in African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans,
brings • your entire body.
Walk
Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders)
Take the diabetes risk test: http://www.diabetes.org/risk-test.jsp.
TIPS FOR MANAGING THE BLUES:
What are the symptoms of diabetes? Typical symptoms of diabetes include:
with Us!
• Frequent focus on good posture –
When walking, urination
• Excessive thirst
lift your head and chest, straighten your
• Extreme a smile
back, and put hungeron your face.
Walk the talk! weight loss
• Unusual
• Increased fatigue
• a bit of music to your daily
AddIrritability
• – put vision
walkBlurryyour ear buds in, take along
your experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider.
If you areportable music device, and sing
aloud if you choose. Favorite tunes are
How a sure way todiagnosed? happier!
is diabetes make you feel The Blues vs. Depression
Diabetes is diagnosed with a “fasting blood glucose test” and is typically ordered by your healthcare provider after
According to the National Institute of Mental Health,
a complete history and physical exam. The only special depression is feeling “down”,blood anddrawn after a complete
Walk to vent anger and frustration – requirement is that your “low” be “hopeless” for
make some (overnight).
8 – 12 hour fast noise: sigh, growl, groan, weeks at a time. Feeling blue lasts only a day or two.
snarl, and stomp your feet a little. You
Talk with your healthcare provider about your prolonged
may be help me manage or prevent
Can walkingsurprised at how quickly your diabetes? Exercise, such sadness. Depression affects approximately
feelings of as walking, can’t hurt; studies show that
mood lifts!
20 million are trying United States every year. disease.
exercise does provide health benefits to those with diabetes or whoadults in the to prevent the chronicWomen
Exercise also: experience depression two times more than men. Help is
Enlist a walking buddy – find(sugar)
• Lowers blood glucose a walking available: counseling, support groups, and/or medication.
buddy who can listen without the need
• Lowers blood pressure Your provider will help decide what option is best for you
to offer advice or pass judgment. Your
• Lowers cholesterol and your unique situation. The good news: depression is
buddy can also act as a distracter. Have
manageable and curable in most cases! Take the test;
• Lowers risk for heart disease, stroke, and other chronic health problems
fun socializing with a friend!
• Helps insulin work more effectively are you depressed? CLICK HERE
For more information about the health benefits of “Physical Activity for People with Diabetes,” click here:
http://www.walkwithspirit.org/pdf/ADACardioReview8.pdf.
For
1 more information, visit:
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
American Academy of Family Physicians – “Depression: You Don’t Have to Feel This Way”:
Walk with SpiritSM is a national program presented by the Spirit of Women® Hospital Network, a coalition of hospitals
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/depression/046.html.
and healthcare providers across the United States that ascribe to the highest standards of excellence in women’s health,
education, and community outreach.
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