Exercise for Diabetes Patient
Exercise is good for everyone, whether they have diabetes or not, and this is particularly the case in modern Britain, at a time when lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary and more people than ever are either overweight or obese. The benefits of taking regular exercise include:
- strengthening the heart (and circulation) to pump blood more efficiently and reduce the risk of heart and circulatory disease
- lowering effect upon blood pressure
- burning up calories, helping in regulation of weight
- strengthening bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis in later life
- reducing risk of some other conditions including haemorrhoids, constipation and cancer of the colon
- maintainingjoint flexibility, especially important in later life.
For people with diabetes, there are additional potential benefits, especially with more intense physical exercise. These include increased insulin sensitivity in muscles and the liver which can result in a reduction in the dose of oral hypoglycaemic drugs or insulin that the person requires. Also, lipid profiles tend to improve. More specifically, helpful HDL cholesterol levels increase and there may be an overall decline in triglycerides, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. It is thought that lack of exercise may be a direct risk factor for the development of Insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes, and remaining physically active throughout life is one means of protection and prevention.
The Health Education Authority recommends that everyone should aim for half an hour of moderate exercise on at least five days each week. Moderate exercise includes brisk walking, swimming, aerobics, dancing, cycling, team sports, jogging etc., but many other activities can contribute as well. They include active gardening, housework or DIY, running up a flight of stairs or chasing after an active toddler! The advice to all who are about to embark upon a programme of exercise, especially if previously inactive, is the same. This is to start slowly and gently and gradually build up your level of exercise, as and when you become fitter. People with diabetes need to take extra care but the extent of this varies with their age, the type of diabetes and the way it is being treated and the nature of the exercise. General advice is as follows.
- Seek expert advice from your diabetes clinic or general practitioner before undertaking any exercise programme. A medical check-up may be needed if vigorous exercise is contemplated and is always necessary for middle-aged and elderly people. The principal risk is from a cardiovascular event brought on by unaccustomed strenuous exercise.
- Always build up the amount of exercise gradually, over a period of weeks.
- Do not launch straight into strenuous exercise, even if you believe that you are fit.
- Spend ten minutes at the start and end of the exercise period doing gentle stretching, bending, flexing etc. so that your muscles are prepared.
- Use appropriate, good quality sports clothing, footwear, helmet etc. Be especially careful about taking care of your feet.
- Do not exercise during periods when glycaemic control is erratic or poor.
- Do not exercise when you have an illness or infection, however mild.
- Avoid exercise in very hot weather.
- Monitor blood glucose before, during and after exercise, as advised by your diabetes care team.
- Adjust insulin/sulphonylurea doses and/or eat extra carbohydrate-containing snacks, as necessary (see below).
- Drink lots of sugar-free fluids before and during the exercise period to avoid dehydration.
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