Diabetes and co-occurring osteoarthritis, and yoga 2023

Abstract

Persons diagnosed as having Type 2 diabetes, one of the common chronic diseases affecting older adults, may also suffer from multiple adverse health conditions such as disabling osteoarthritis. In a search for low cost approaches to mitigate these health conditions, this mini review updates selected facts concerning the association between Type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis and their possible mitigation using yoga to control excess glucose levels. Drawn from data posted between January 2020-mid October 2023 using PUBMED and PubMed Central data bases, a qualitative overview shows adults living in the community with Type 2 diabetes may be at high risk for disabling osteoarthritis, and those who are obese alongside osteoarthritis may incur Type 2 diabetic manifestations. Yoga, an ancient from of therapeutic exercise, and its applications appears to have the ability to help control or normalize blood glucose levels in older adults with Type 2 diabetes and may thus have some degree of benefit for reducing prevailing osteoarthritis pathological and pain processes, as well as for enhancing overall life quality. Fostering the ability to reduce stress levels and to move more ably appears to underpin the heightened ability of yoga practices to control blood sugar and obesity levels. Understanding the possible utility of one or more forms of yoga for decreasing excess diabetes and osteoarthritis morbidity has considerable potential and should be explored more intently.