Exercise and Diabetes

When you are a diabetic, exercise will help control your blood sugar levels. But if you are overweight and diabetic, exercise will also help you live a healthy lifestyle and manage your Diabetes. As a diabetic, there are additional considerations and precautions that you need to take before you begin an exercise routine. And once you have begun, you always need to be aware of the risks involved.

It is ideal to wait to exercise if your blood glucose level is too low or high. You can do more damage than good exercise when your blood sugar is not at an optimal level. It is especially dangerous if your blood sugar is on the low side and you begin to exercise, the physical exertion can cause your blood sugar to drop even further which can cause an emergency situation. As a precaution, if you are exercising at a gym make sure the staff are aware of your condition and have emergency instructions and numbers to call. If you walk or run on your own outside, keep identification on you that advises you are diabetic, along with contact phone numbers, a snack, and instructions.

It is important to stretch before and after exercising, drink plenty of fluids, and don’t push yourself too hard. It is important to check your blood sugars before and after exercising and if you are feeling light-headed during your work-out, you should check it then too.

As feet problems are common in diabetics, wear proper footwear and socks. If you
notice any sores on your feet that are not going away on their own, see your doctor. If they are not healing they can lead to an infection and other related complications. Even though there are risks involved to exercising, the benefits make it worth it and can greatly improve your health.