Exercising safely with diabetes

If you have diabetes you need to exercise as physical activity improves your overall health.

Exercise improves insulin sensitivity, build muscles and remove excess fat. This on long term can control high blood sugar level and prevent diabetes complications.

But before starting exercise you need to have some precautions.

You need to consult your doctor before starting any fitness routine. This is really important especially if you are overweight, having kidney neuropathy or history of heart disease. Moreover people who are 35 years old or having diabetes for 10 years need to check with their doctor before starting new exercise moreover your doctor may ask for exercise tolerance test to determine your blood pressure and heart rate and then to choose intensity of exercise suitable for your body.

In general recommendations are to exercise within 1-3 hours of eating when level of glucose are high. If you take insulin you need to check your blood sugar if it is low than 100 mg/dl you need to have a rapid source of energy like a piece of fruit to prevent hypoglycaemia. Testing again 30 minutes later will show whether your blood sugar level is stable.

Because of the dangers associated with diabetes, always wear a medical alert bracelet indicating that you have diabetes and whether you take insulin. Also, keep hard candy or glucose tablets with you while exercising in case your blood sugar drops precipitously.

Sources:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-exercise-when-you-have-diabetes