R.A. Tip of the Day: Mind Over Diabetes
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| Fri, 10-14-2005 - 11:19am |
Mind Over Diabetes
Help control blood sugar levels with mind over matter.
Diet, exercise, and medication are the cornerstones of diabetes treatment. However, research shows that undergoing 10 individual sessions of biofeedback-assisted relaxation therapy also may help lower blood glucose levels and relieve stress. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a qualified, licensed practitioner to help you meet your treatment goals.
RealAge Benefit: People with diabetes who adopt an aggressive disease management program can make their RealAge as much as 8 years younger.
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Biofeedback is a technique that measures autonomic physiological functions, such as muscle tension, hand temperature, and heart rate, to teach a person how to relax. Mood tends to affect blood sugar levels; depression tends to raise blood sugar levels. In one study, biofeedback-assisted relaxation therapy not only was shown to reduce blood sugar levels, but also depression, anxiety, and hemoglobin A1c levels. Hemoglobin A1c refers to the percentage of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells, bound to glucose. Whereas blood glucose levels provide a measurement of current blood sugar control, hemoglobin A1c levels show trends in blood glucose control over the preceding 4 months. Participants maintained improvements by the end of the 3-month follow-up period. However, those with depression were more likely to have higher blood glucose levels and to drop out of the study than those who were not depressed.


