Exercise is a vital component in the treatment of both arthritis and diabetes and diabetics are diagnosed with arthritis at almost double the rate of the general population.  However, the nature of either disease often makes exercise unattractive, if not entirely undesirable, and the motivation to exercise is especially hard to come by when both diseases are present.

Regular physical activity helps keep glucose levels in check and it alleviates the joint pain caused by arthritis but people diagnosed with both diseases are much less likely to exercise regularly (29.8%) than those with diabetes alone (20.1%).  In an effort to make exercise a more attractive proposition, the Arthritis Foundation has developed several self-management and exercise programs and will help people with either, or both, diseases find ways to make exercise a routine part of their daily lives.

This week’s issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) addresses the issue of exercise for arthritis and diabetes.  Almost 21% of Americans, or one of every five people, is affected by arthritis, the most common reason for disability in the nation.  And almost 7% of the population suffers from diabetes although an estimated one-third of them are unaware of having the disease.

Chad Helmick, MD, a CDC epidemiologist and an author of the study, acknowledges common barriers to exercise that most Americans face, such as limited time, other responsibilities deemed more urgent, limited motivation, and no interest in the exercise options thought to be available.  He suggests it is understandable that people suffering from combined diabetes and arthritis, who share these same barriers as the general population, must also confront issues specific to the disease, such as aggravating the pain already felt due to the arthritis and the risk of further damage to the joints.  With these concerns in mind, he feels it is important to explore all exercise options to find a way of getting regular exercise in a form that will alleviate symptoms of both diseases instead of causing further distress.  Some recommendations are:

• Walking.  Low- to moderate-exertion levels of walking are relatively painless and easy to work into a daily routine.  Start with just 10 minutes every day.  Increase walks to three 10-minute walks every day or strive for a 30-minute walk at least three days each week.
• Stretching.  More than leg muscles are involved with walking so it is important to gently stretch all muscles, especially those in the lower back, arms, and chest, before and after taking a walk.
• Enjoy an exercise companion.  Enlist a walking partner to increase motivation and make the exercise more pleasant.
• Beware of extra pounds.  The heavier a person is, the more painful stress is placed on the knees and other joints.  Extra pounds also make a person tire more quickly, which is likely to generate lack of interest in a daily exercise program.

In the US today, approximately 19 million people endure limited activity due to arthritis.  The economic toll for this disease is estimated to be $128 billion each year due to direct expenses, such as medical costs associated with the disease, and indirect costs, often seen as lost wages.  The aging of the Baby Boomer generation is predicted to bring an increase in arthritis by 40% in the next twenty years.

Source: Arthritis Foundation