Controlling Diabetes With Exercise
Diabetic athletes routinely compete in athletic events from triathlons to professional football
. With proper control and some basic routines, athletes with diabetes can compete at the same intensity as anyone.
New insulin pumps and glucose monitoring devices make it easier for athletes to monitor their response to exercise. While diabetes can be managed, there are risks that require planning for training or competition.
It is important to consult your doctor before starting a fitness program. They can give you a complete risk assessment can be performed and a safe training and competition schedule can be designed.
Type I diabetes is caused by a deficiency, and Type II is a malfunctioning of insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas.
Without insulin, glucose cannot enter cells and stays in the veins. Type I diabetes is treated with insulin injections that help make cells receptive to glucose.
Type II Diabetes can be controlled with adjustments in diet and fitness. Both diseases result in too much glucose in the blood, the health consequences of which can be serious if the amount of glucose gets too high.
In Type II, glucose may be high because even though insulin is present, it cannot store the glucose efficiently in muscle and liver. This is referred to as insulin resistance.
Type I is always a result of having no natural insulin. Type II is mostly a disease of lifestyle, although genetics probably also plays a part.
Being overweight and unfit will make you more likely to get Type II diabetes, which is mostly not reversible. Over time, type II diabetics can lose some natural insulin supply until eventually they may require insulin injections.
Because exercise lowers the blood sugar levels and helps improve the body's use of insulin, an athlete often needs to reduce the insulin dose before exercise. Fitness also increases the blood flow to the skin and muscle tissue.
It then increases the amount of insulin in the veins and stimulates the liver to release glucose into the blood. It is important to reduce the level of glucose in the system prior to beginning exercise.
Diabetics should maintain a good balance of blood sugar during physical activity with levels between 70 and 180 mg. Athletic performance is reduced if this balance is off.
Too much insulin can lead to hypoglycemia and too little may cause hyperglycemia. Because some of the symptoms of the two conditions may look like normal reactions to physical activity, it is important that a diabetic athlete is aware of the symptoms.
Some symptoms of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia include decreased physical performance, variable mood, paleness, tremors, headache, sweat, poor vision, fatigue, hunger, or dizziness. Hypoglycemia is caused by the onset of low blood sugar can be prevented by eating or drinking food high in carbohydrates.
Extreme hypoglycemia may result in severe reactions such as the inability to swallow or unconsciousness. In severe cases, a physician or paramedic can inject glucagon, which is a hormone that releases glucose from the liver into the veins.
After receiving glucagon, the person should soon regain consciousness. Symptoms of high blood sugar or hyperglycemia include sleepiness, dry mouth, frequent urination, fatigue, and extreme thirst.
Diabetic athletes should check their sugar levels before, after and every 20 to 30 minutes during prolonged exercise. If blood sugar is under 100 mg/dL, they should take in carbohydrates before workouts.
If blood sugar is excessive or over 250 mg/dL for Type II diabetes or over 200 mg/dL for Type I, they should postpone exercise until the levels are brought down. Athletes and their trainers should be aware of symptoms and always be prepared with snacks and insulin shots.
They should workout one to two hours after a meal and avoid exercise at times of peak insulin activity. People who have Type I diabetes should avoid evening workouts, if possible.
Follow your doctor's advice, but this usually means reducing the dose of short-acting insulin before exercise. After prolonged or intense activity, you may need extra carbohydrate foods for up to 24 hours to refill muscle starch reserves.
Drink about a pint of water about two hours before exercise, and drink after to replace fluids lost in sweat. You should also pay attention to your feet and wear proper shoes and socks.
by: Terry Daniels
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