Learn how to manage diabetes with exercise
A diagnosis of diabetes can be devastating, but there are ways to manage the disease--and exercise is one of them. Join a live Web chat on diabetes and exercise Monday, July 11, at 11 a.m. Pacific time (1 p.m. Central time, 2 p.m. Eastern time) with Dr. Ruchi Mathur and learn how even moderate workouts such as walking can go a long way toward controlling blood sugar and maintaining health overall.
We asked Mathur, director of the diabetes program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and an endocrinologist at the facility’s Weight Loss Center, if people with diabetes should take any special precautions before embarking on an exercise program.
“The main thing is to stay well hydrated,†she said, “especially as temperatures rise and people are exercising outdoors.†Dehydration may cause blood sugar to rise.
“If you’re on insulin medication and your blood sugar is under 100,†Mathur added, “have a small carbohydrate-based snack prior to exercising.†Blood sugar should be checked intermittently if you’re engaged in more prolonged activity, and if you don’t feel well after exercising, have some juice or a carbohydrate snack.
People with Type 1 diabetes who have high blood sugar may want to forgo working out until their levels come down. If they don’t, “they can become ketotic, which is a state of metabolic instability,†Mathur said. “Their sugar should be in a reasonable range before they start.â€
Other things to consider: People who have heart disease or are at high risk for it should get a checkup and possibly a stress test before hitting the gym. Those with diabetes-related eye diseases should see their doctors too before doing any strenuous exercise such as weightlifting, since there’s a risk of rupturing eye blood vessels.
Finally, anyone with peripheral neuropathy--nerve damage that can cause numbness in limbs-- could be at risk around heavy weights or equipment. Low-impact chair exercises or swimming might be better options.
Do you have a question for Mathur? Email [email protected] and join the chat to see the answer.
