Discover the Positive Effects of Exercise for Diabetes Sufferers

There are two main types of diabetes, type I and type II. Type I diabetes is characterized by the pancreas making too little or no insulin. An individual with diabetes type I will have to inject insulin throughout the day in order to control glucose levels. Type II diabetes, also known as adult onset diabetes, is characterized by the pancreas not producing enough insulin to control glucose levels or the cells not responding to insulin.

When a cell does not respond to insulin, it is known as insulin resistance. When a subject is diagnosed with type II diabetes, exercise and weight control are prescribed as measures to help with insulin resistance. If this does not control glucose levels, then medication is prescribed. The risk factors for type II diabetes include: inactivity, high cholesterol, obesity, and hypertension. Inactivity alone is a very strong risk factor that has been proven to lead to diabetes type II.

Exercise will have a positive effect on diabetes type II while improving insulin sensitivity while type I cannot be controlled be an exercise program. Over 90% of individuals with diabetes have type II.

Exercise causes the body to process glucose faster, which lowers blood sugar. The more intense the exercise, the faster the body will utilize glucose. Therefore it is important to understand the differences in training with type I and type II diabetes. It is important for an individual who has diabetes to check with a physician before beginning an exercise program. When training with a diabetic, it is important to understand the dangers of injecting insulin immediately prior to exercise. An individual with type I diabetes injecting their normal amount of insulin for a sedentary situation can pose the risk of hypoglycemia or insulin shock during exercise.

General exercise guidelines for type I are as follows: allow adequate rest during exercise sessions to prevent high blood pressure, use low impact exercises and avoid heavy weight lifting, and always have a supply of carbohydrates nearby. If blood sugar levels get too low, the individual may feel shaky, disoriented, hungry, anxious, become irritable or experience trembling. Consuming a carbohydrate snack or beverage will alleviate these symptoms in a matter of minutes.

Before engaging in exercise, it is important for blood sugar levels to be tested to make sure that they are not below 80 to 100 mg/dl range and not above 250 mg/dl. Glucose levels should also be tested before, during, after and three to five hours after exercise. During this recovery period (3-5 hours after exercise), it is important for diabetics to consume ample carbohydrates in order to prevent hypoglycemia.

Exercise will greatly benefit an individual with type II diabetes because of its positive effects on insulin sensitivity. Proper exercise and nutrition are the best forms of prevention for type II diabetics. It is important for training protocols to be repeated almost daily to help with sustaining insulin sensitivity. To prevent hypoglycemia, progressively work up to strenuous activity.

As with individuals with type I diabetes, carbohydrates should also be present during training to assist in raising blood sugar levels if the individual becomes low.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

---

Better Links Directory

Insulin

Insulin has two critical roles in the body that we... Read More

Pre-Diabetes: Check Engine Warning Light

Your car has an early detection system and so does... Read More

Hyperglycemia, Diabetes, and Managing Blood Sugar

So, after a miserable 10 hours of blood tests it's... Read More

Benfotiamine And Diabetic Retinopathy

Damage from diabetes can occur in different areas of the... Read More

Diabetic Foot Care Tips: Cant Afford to Ignore It!

Most of the time, we focus on health or skin... Read More

Avandia Side Effect Lawyer: Diabetes Drug Damages Liver

Avandia, a compound of rosiglitazone maleate, is an oral antidiabetic... Read More

Fanning the Flames of the Diabetes Epidemic

INTRODUCTIONIt is my pleasure to introduce to you, a new... Read More

I Have Diabetes or Another Chronic Condition - Should I Use an HSA?

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are becoming quite popular for people... Read More

Diabetes - A National Epidemic

Are you a diabetic? If so, you are definitely not... Read More

Raising Happy Diabetic Kids Part II

This is the second article in a series I am... Read More

Diabetes... Sweet Story of Healing

In a time not too long ago, there lived a... Read More

Build Health: Want To Prevent Diabetes?

To prevent diabetes you will get a real jolt when... Read More

Diabetes: Diabetics Fight Back

Many cases of diabetes go unnoticed or unchecked before a... Read More

Get Rid of Your Diabetes

People at risk of getting the disease drop by a... Read More

Ascensia Breeze Glucometer Rated

Simple Testing Over and Over* simple and easy testing. Simple... Read More

Diabetes Awareness: Ill Wait til it Hurts

By the time many type 2 diabetics (and often their... Read More

Improper pH Balance Increases Risk and Damage of Diabetes

THE RISKBlood sugar balance is critical to your body's proper... Read More

Favorite Desserts For A Diabetic Husband

It's easier than you think to create delicious desserts for... Read More

Diabetes

Meal planning includes choosing healthy foods, eating the right amount... Read More

Becoming a Diabetes Expert

I am a diabetes expert. No I'm not a doctor... Read More

Get More Out Of Life While Managing Your Diabetes

When I was first diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at... Read More

Diabetes

The following information is for educational purposes only and is... Read More

Revolutionary Lancet Device for Diabetic Glucose Testing

Now you can reduce the pain and inconvenience of testing.... Read More

Do You Have Diabetes? Symptoms Of Diabetes And How To Address Them

Diabetes mellitus is a condition resulting from the pancreas' inability... Read More

The Importance Of Following And Maintaining A Diabetic Diet

A diabetic diet is a specially designed eating plan that... Read More