============= TRAINER'S CORNER ===============
Dumbbells vs Barbells:

1. What's the difference between using dumbbells versus a barbell?

Both have their advantages:
Dumbbells:
--You can work with heavy weights without having to worry about a spotter.
--Increased coordination and balance.
--Increased stabilizer muscle work.
--Increased balancing between your weak and strong sides.
ex. If your right side is stronger, your left is forced to adapt.
Barbells:
--Increased overall strength due to the ability to use a heavier weight.
--Offers a variation to dumbbells.

So what should you use?  Both.

============= DOC TALK ====================
DIABETES:

Diabetes Mellitus is an increasingly common ailment in our society.  It is
categorized as Type 1 or Type 2.  In Type 1, an autoimmune process
destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, leading to elevated
blood sugar levels.  It is more commonly diagnosed in children and
adolescents, although some older adults may develop Type 1 diabetes.

Insulin resistance causes type 2 diabetes, generally as a result of
obesity and poor dietary habits.  Since the cells of the body cannot
efficiently use the pancreas’ insulin, blood sugar levels begin to rise.
In all cases of diabetes, persistently elevated blood sugar levels destroy
or damage cells and organs of the body.  Over time this may lead to
blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney failure
(nephropathy), and other forms of blood vessel damage (microangiopathy).

Signs and symptoms of diabetes may include excessive thirst (polydypsia)
and excessive urination (polyuria).  This occurs since large amounts of
sugar (glucose) are lost into the urine, followed by water.  This creates
severe dehydration, and if left untreated, can lead to severe electrolyte
and acid-base disorders that may culminate in death (diabetic
ketoacidosis).

Type 1 diabetics must be treated with insulin injections to replace the
low levels produced by the pancreas.  Patients use either multiple
subcutaneous injections of insulin, or an insulin infusion pump that
continually injects small amounts of insulin into the body.  The doses are
adjusted based on carbohydrate intake and the blood glucose level.  In the
future, an inhaled insulin may be available that would be delivered into
the lungs, avoiding needle injections.

Type 2 diabetics are almost always overweight or obese.  Healthy dietary
changes and regular exercise are crucial to control glucose levels.  If
lifestyle modification does not control blood glucose alone, then oral
medications are used to bring levels under control.  Only in extreme
situations is insulin used to control blood glucose in Type 2 diabetics.
  
In all diabetics, careful attention is given to controlling high blood
pressure and high cholesterol, if present.  Regular foot and eye
examinations are performed to detect early signs of diabetic damage.

Regular exercise and controling your weight may help prevent Type 2
diabetes.

============= EXTRA ================
Not sure where all of your muscles are located?
Try the muscle locator at http://www.mrtrainer.com/muscloc.html

***********************************************************************************
MrTrainer newsletter is a weekly publication.  http://www.mrtrainer.com
Trainers Corner is written by Matthew Beeners, ACE certified PT.
Doc Talk is written by William L. Harrison, M.D.
THIS COLUMN IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY—IT IS NOT INTENDED TO
REPLACE THE ADVICE OF YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN.
Copyright (C) 2000 MrTrainer. All Rights Reserved.