Exercise For People Who Have Diabetes Diabetes And Exercise

Diabetes mellitus, also called DM, is a condition that makes it hard for the body to control the level ofglucose in the blood. Glucose is the main form of sugar the body uses. Insulinis a hormone made by the pancreas. It helps the body control the level of glucosein the blood.

When glucose builds up in the blood, the result is a highblood glucose level,called hyperglycemia. There are a number of ways to lower the blood glucoselevel. These include a correct diet for diabetes,medicine, and exercise. Exercise is a natural way a person with diabetes canhelp control his or her blood glucose levels. Muscles use more glucose duringexercise.

What is the information for this topic?

The two most common types of diabetes mellitus are calledtype 1and type 2.People with either of these types of diabetes benefit from regularexercise. Almost all people who develop type 2 diabeteshave a condition called pre-diabetesfirst. This condition used to be known as impaired glucose tolerance or impairedfasting glucose. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates that almost 16 million people over the ageof 40 have this condition. It occurs when blood glucose levelsare higher than healthy levels but too low to be called diabetes. Withoutlifestyle changes, most people who have prediabeteswill progress to type 2 diabeteswithin 10 years.

Benefits of exercise

There is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes.But it may be possible to prevent type 2 diabetesin many cases! This is especially true once pre-diabetesis known. Even modest lifestyle changes can help prevent the onset of diabetes.The key is to:

eat a healthy diet

exercise regularly

maintain a healthy body weight

Exercise is a vital part of diabetes treatment. It can lower the level ofglucose in the blood and may also:

help the body make better use of its food supply

allow the body cells to better use insulin and glucose

aid a person in losing excess weight

improve blood circulation throughout the body

increase the heart’s ability to pump blood

lower high blood pressure

help a person feel better physically and mentally

A recent study showed that walking briskly for only 30 minutes a dayat least 5 days a week greatly reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Evaluation before starting an exercise program

It is important for a person who has diabetes to visit the doctorbefore starting an exercise program. The doctor can help design anexercise program that is right for the person. He or she will take many factorsinto account, including the person’s:

need for activity

physical abilities and limits

blood glucose control

medicine routine

coronary risk factors,including smoking, obesity,and high blood pressure

The ADA states that a graded exercisetest may help if a person is at high risk for heart disease. He or she canbuild up to a moderate- to high-intensity exercise program. Those at high riskinclude people who:

are 35 years of age or older

have had type 2 diabetesmore than 10 years

have had type 1 diabetesmore than 15 years

have other coronary risk factors,including high blood pressure

have significant diabetic nephropathy,or kidney damage from diabetes

have significant retinopathy, or retinal damage in the eye

have peripheral vascular disease, or impaired circulation in the legs and arms

have autonomic neuropathy, or damage to the part of the nervous system thatcontrols blood pressure

Guidelines for exercise

The ADA stresses the importance ofregulating the body’s glucose levels in response to exercise. It has issuedthese exercise guidelines for people who have diabetes:

Monitor blood glucose levels before and after exercise. Each personshould talk with the doctor about what his or her healthy range is. Findout if there is ever any time that exercise should be avoided because ofthe blood glucose level.

Include warm-up and cooldown periods in the exercise program. Thewarm-up should include 5 to 10 minutes of aerobic activity such aslow-intensity walking. Follow this with 5 to 10 minutes of gentle musclestretching. The cooldown after exercise should last about 5 to 10 minutes.It should slowly bring the pulse down to the level it was before exercise.

Because people who have diabetes often also have poor circulation intheir feet, good shoes are important. The ADA recommends the useof silica gel or air midsoles in athletic shoes. Polyester or polyester and cottonsocks help prevent blisters and keep the feet dry.

People who have diabetes should tell those exercising with themthat they have diabetes. They should also tell them what to do if they becomeweak. A bracelet or shoe tag showing the person’s diabetes should be clearlyvisible. People who exercise alone should tell others where they aregoing and when they will be back.