A BRIEF LOOK INTO TYPE 2 DIABETES

UNDERSTANDING BLOOD SUGAR AND HOW IT WORKS.

Blood sugar, or blood glucose, refers to the concentration of glucose in your blood. Our bodies constantly regulate blood glucose levels to keep them within a healthy range. When blood glucose is too high, it’s called hyperglycaemia, and when it’s too low, it’s hypoglycaemia.

To maintain balance, the pancreas plays a crucial role. If blood glucose levels drop too low, the pancreas releases a hormone called glucagon, which signals the liver and muscles to release stored glucose, raising blood sugar. On the other hand, if blood glucose is too high, the pancreas releases insulin to help bring the levels back down to normal. WHY IS INSULIN IMPORTANT?

Think of insulin as a key that unlocks a door. When insulin binds to receptors on your skeletal muscles, it opens the door, allowing glucose to enter and be stored. This process helps lower blood sugar to a healthy level. However, in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, the receptors become resistant to insulin, often due to prolonged high blood sugar. As a result, the glucose can’t enter the cells and stays in the bloodstream, leading to elevated blood sugar.

HOW DOES EXERCISE HELP WITH BLOOD GLUCOSE MANAGEMENT?

Our skeletal muscles are the body’s largest insulin-sensitive organ. Exercise improves the way our cells respond to insulin, especially in muscle and fat cells. This means insulin can more effectively “unlock” cells, allowing glucose to enter.

When you exercise, your muscles need energy, primarily from glucose or stored glycogen. Physical activity boosts the activity of glucose transporters (especially GLUT4) on muscle cells’ surfaces, helping more glucose enter. Additionally, regular resistance training increases muscle mass, which enhances the body’s ability to store glucose and boosts overall glucose demand for energy. DIAGNOSING TYPE 2 DIABETES.

Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed through a series of blood tests, as outlined by the Australian Diabetes Society (ADS). A confirmed diagnosis often requires a second test. The key diagnostic tests include:  

• Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG):A blood test after fasting for at least 8 hours.

  • Normal: <5.5 mmol/L

  • Pre-diabetes: 5.5–6.9 mmol/L

  • Diabetes: ≥7.0 mmol/L

    
    
    
    

• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT):After fasting, you drink a sugary solution, and blood samples are taken at 1-hour and 2-hour intervals.

  • Normal: 2-hour plasma glucose <7.8 mmol/L

  • Pre-diabetes: 2-hour plasma glucose between 7.8 and 11.0 mmol/L

  • Diabetes: 2-hour plasma glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L

    
    
    
    

• HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin Test): Measures average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months.

  • Normal: <5.7% (39 mmol/L)

  • Pre-diabetes: 5.7–6.4% (39–46 mmol/L)

  • Diabetes: ≥6.5% (48 mmol/L)

    
    

  COMMON SYMPTOMS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES.
  

  Along with the diagnostic tests, type 2 diabetes is often suspected if you experience symptoms such as extreme thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, and fatigue. If you’re noticing any of these signs, it’s important to visit your general practitioner for further evaluation. WHAT ARE THE CURRENT GUIDELINES FOR EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION AND TYPE 2 DIABETES? Exercise Sport Science Australia recommends undertaking resistance training using progressive multi-joint exercises, focusing on large muscle groups at a moderate to vigorous intensity. The sessions should be comprised of 8-10 exercises, performing 2-4 sets, of 8-10 repetitions with 1-2 minutes rest in between sets, 2 or more times per week. This can be combined with moderate or vigorous aerobic exercises, including walking, running, cycling, or swimming, on most days with no more than two consecutive days without exercising. The reason for suggesting regular physical activity is due to the increased response in insulin sensitivity, which has been documented to decline after 48 hours post-exercise or activity. Exercise physiologists are trained to be able to prescribe exercise as medicine to assist with managing diabetes. If you like get in touch to discuss how we can help you, please set up an initial consultation with one of our EP's.