Diabetics must plan ahead for exercise
Last Updated: 2004-02-06 14:34:08 -0400 (Reuters Health)
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Moderate exercise may prevent or delay some of the complications of type 2 diabetes, but people with diabetes should undergo a thorough medical evaluation before beginning an exercise program, according to a new report.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to the effect of the glucose-processing hormone insulin. At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most or all days of the week may improve sensitivity to insulin, and decrease the need for medications and insulin injections.
Before starting an exercise program, however, people with type 2 diabetes should undergo a thorough physical examination, according to Drs. Krishna V. Bhaskarabhatla and Richard Birrer at Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey.
Some people, including those older than 35 years and people who have had diabetes for a decade or longer, should also undergo an exercise stress test before starting an exercise program, Bhaskarabhatla and Birrer note in the journal The Physician and Sportsmedicine.
People with diabetes also need to take steps to prevent complications that may arise once they start exercising, according to the report.
For instance, when blood sugar levels are low, people should have a snack and wait until blood sugar returns to a healthy level before exercising, the authors advise. People with diabetes should also drink fluids frequently while exercising to prevent dehydration.
And to prevent blood sugar dropping too low, the dosage of insulin and some medications may need to be adjusted, according to the report.
Physical activity can be beneficial to diabetics, but it needs to be an appropriate form of exercise to prevent complications, according to the researchers. For example, people with diabetes-related nerve damage should avoid running or jogging because these activities may increase the risk of joint or soft-tissue injury.
Whatever exercise program people with diabetes choose, they should learn how to monitor themselves closely for blisters and other damage to their feet, according to the report. Appropriate footwear is also important for preventing complications, the authors note.
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Diabetics Must Plan Ahead for Exercise 
