Dr. Entner Diabetes

Submitted by Dr. Shelby Entner

In Canada there are nearly 9 million people living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, a growing epidemic that is creating a serious health and economic impact on the future of our country. Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes—is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. This high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger).

Your body gets energy by making glucose from foods like bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, milk and fruit. To use this glucose, your body needs insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body control the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood. Nearly 90% of Canadians with diabetes have type II diabetes which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not effectively use the insulin that is produced. Type II diabetes usually develops in adulthood, although increasing numbers of children in high-risk populations are being diagnosed. Over time, high blood glucose levels can cause complications such as blindness, heart disease, kidney problems, nerve damage and erectile dysfunction. Fortunately, good diabetes care and management can prevent or delay the onset of these complications.

Recent studies have shown that people who have type II diabetes mellitus may benefit from using infrared sauna therapies. In 2010, a study provided by the University of British Columbia and published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that patients reported a better quality of life overall after using the infrared sauna three times a week for 20 minutes over a period of three months. Questionnaires given in the study indicated that physical health, mental well-being, stress and fatigue all improved in that time period.

Patients with diabetes are encouraged to keep active, manage their weight, monitor stress and continue to find ways to keep healthy.

ar Infrared Sauna Therapy (F.I.R.S.T.) is a promising area in healthcare to help support all aspects of diabetic care by helping both the physical and emotional components of the disease.