Exercise for Diabetics

Author: JuliaHanf Total views: 4 Word Count: 519

Diabetes is a challenge. However, the enjoyable challenge of exercise can help the majority of diabetics manage their disease. Exercise can directly improve diabetes, as well as increase your overall health and help you ward off future complications. To provide these benefits, it must be properly done.

Before embarking on any exercise regimen, a diabetic should consult his or her physician and insist on clear answers and feasible suggestions. The diabetic will need to find out which exercises are safe and under what conditions. That will vary from person to person, and often day to day.

In everyone, the blood glucose level rises during exercise. The amount and speed of this rise varies with the individual and with their state on a particular day. For instance, an abnormally high blood glucose level of 300 mg/dL will be driven even higher by exercise. Type 1 diabetics with a fasting glucose level higher than 250 mg/dL usually have ketones in their urine. With exercise, the ketone level can rise leading to a risky condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis.

Alternatively, insulin treatments can produce hypoglycemia (having too low a level of glucose in the blood). But consuming carbohydrates to level it off may have undesirable side effects, such as encouraging excess body fat. That excess in turn may help push those with pre-diabetes into full blown diabetes, over time.

So begin all exercise programs cautiously and gradually. Be realistic. As a diabetic, you may have to start at a lower level than those without diabetes. However, you will still benefit from a regular exercise program. You must simply remember to monitor you condition carefully, like senior citizens or other people who have limits on what activity they can safely do. Exercise as you safely can.

Consider the long-haul. When starting an exercise routine, it is easy to become disheartened and give up too quickly, even if you are healthy. A sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for diabetes. If you have been the proverbially "couch-potato" you will experience sorer muscles than those who have been more active. Don't let this natural occurrence discourage you. Beginning gradually and building your endurance will ease the problem. Exercise should be regarded a part of your life, rather than a necessary evil aimed at curing a particular problem.

Walking several times per week is a good start. For those who have access to a pool, swimming is a good cardiovascular exercise category that is easy on the joints.

If you feel too fatigued to begin, talk with your doctor. The problem might be low blood sugar. An appropriate snack before exercise may help. Sometimes a change in medication is needed.

Monitoring is important, even during exercise, since it can change blood glucose levels quickly. A special watch is available that provides a timer for measuring routines, but will also monitor glucose level. But whatever method you choose, keep a close eye on things. Stop if you feel dizzy, nauseous or experience symptoms generally.

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About the Author

Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win\r\nThrough a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free.\r\nVisit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution\r\nfor diabetes.

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