This may sound exaggerated, but it’s the reality: for diabetics, physical activity works like medicine, it’s also a way to save money; sedentary diabetics have a 63% higher financial burden for medical consultations and medication compared to active diabetics.
It is easy to understand how exercise affects the physiology of diabetes. Saying goodbye to a sedentary lifestyle minimizes the main torment of a diabetic’s life: excess blood sugar. Indeed, the practice of exercise stimulates the production of GLU-4, a protein that collects excess glucose in the circulation to finally place it inside the cells; therefore, the patient needs less insulin to absorb the sugar circulating in the blood. Plus, the benefits of exercise extend to other health issues: it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, aids weight loss – all of which are essential for people with diabetes.
So let’s talk regarding some important aspects to consider before starting a physical activity program with a commitment to never stop.
Before you begin:
- Consult your doctor.
- People with heart problems cannot start an exercise program without permission from the cardiologist.
- Have your eyes tested to find out how your eyes are doing (diabetic retinopathy).
- Look for a physiotherapist, preferably with experience in treating diabetic patients.
Before leaving the house to exercise:
- Set a time that does not coincide with the peak of blood sugar lowering medications.
- Eat a light meal.
- Before starting the activity, measure your blood sugar. If it’s below 100 mg/dl, eat something with carbs, wait, and retest your blood sugar once more. If it has increased, you can start.
- Take your diabetic ID card with you. In the event of hypoglycemia, people will know what to do.
- Choose suitable socks and sneakers so as not to damage your feet. Check that there are no foreign bodies inside the shoe.
- Always carry a small packet of sugar with you. If the blood sugar drops too much (dizziness, mental confusion, fainting), this will be necessary.
During and following exercise:
- Stay
- Measure your blood sugar every hour and eat some type of carbohydrate (an apple or a granola bar).
- During a longer workout, vary the sweet and salty carbs so you don’t feel sick.
- When your exercise is over, check your blood sugar once more so you don’t risk late onset hypoglycemia.
- When you get home, check your feet (a family member can help). If you find an injury, wait for it to heal before resuming your exercise routine.
- Although physical activity lowers blood sugar, do not reduce the dose of your medication at your discretion.
Finally, what kind of exercises can you do?
The effects of aerobic exercise such as running, swimming, biking, or playing football tend to lower blood sugar more quickly because they use up energy quickly. Aerobic exercises are indicated for diabetics because they are also beneficial for the cardiovascular system. Aerobic or resistance exercises, such as weight training, are essential for people with diabetes because they keep blood sugar levels low for a long time, in addition to building lean muscle mass which is great because muscles are great consumers of sugar. .
Article submitted by HPA Group
