2023-10-16 08:40:52
Exercise is of great importance for diabetics, as it helps in controlling blood sugar levels, and thus reducing serious diabetes complications, provided that the appropriate exercise is chosen and practiced in a moderate manner, in order to avoid health risks that may result from exercising it improperly, such as a severe drop in blood sugar levels.
The German Center for Diabetes Research stressed the importance of exercise in lowering blood sugar levels, increasing cell sensitivity to insulin, normalizing blood pressure, and improving blood fat levels, in addition to helping to lose excess weight.
Sports suitable for diabetics
To benefit from these benefits, the center recommends that diabetic patients exercise at least 3 hours per week, stressing the importance of choosing the appropriate sport for their health condition.
For example, diabetics – who also suffer from a nerve or bone disease – should practice sports that do not affect the joints and nerves, such as swimming, water fitness exercises, and cycling.
Diabetics – who also suffer from an eye disease caused by diabetes – should stay away from violent sports such as self-defense games and muscle-strengthening exercises.
The center also stressed the importance of exercising in moderation to avoid the risk of severe low blood sugar levels, which can be inferred by observing some symptoms such as:
Sweating, cold body, pale skin, decreased muscle strength, confusion, headache, dizziness, nausea, and blurred vision
You should stop exercising as soon as you notice these symptoms and measure your blood sugar level.
Good preparation
To avoid health risks when exercising, the German Diabetes Association recommends that patients prepare well for exercise, as blood sugar levels should be measured before exercising. If the sugar level is very low, then you should eat something before exercising, but if it is very high, then you should not exercise.
As for type 1 diabetes, it should be taken into account that exercise increases the effect of insulin. Therefore, before exercising, a smaller amount of insulin should be injected to prevent hypoglycemia. It is also important for the patient to always have something to eat or a piece of glucose with him, in addition to the medication.
The German Society indicated that blood sugar levels can decrease not only during exercise, but also several hours following exercise. Therefore, diabetics should eat and replenish their blood sugar stores following exercising.
Before going to bed, you should eat carbohydrates that are absorbed slowly, such as sweet potatoes, whole grain rice, legumes, oat flakes, and most types of vegetables rich in carbohydrates, as they maintain blood sugar stability and help prevent its decrease during the night.
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