People with diabetes should exercise regularly for better blood sugar control and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Exercise can increase the consumption of glucose by muscles. Muscle movement leads to greater sugar uptake by muscle cells and lower blood sugar levels.
Additional benefits of exercise include a healthier heart, better weight control and stress management.
Exercise is the common term used to describe any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness.
What counts as exercise?
A person with diabetes should aim for a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week. The exercise should be such that raises your heart rate and makes you sweat like.
- Walking.
- Cycling.
- Swimming.
- Team sports.
- Badminton
- Aerobic dance.
- Weightlifting.
- Resistance band exercises.
Precautions to be taken before exercise?
Precautions to be taken if you take insulin or oral diabetes medication
- If your blood sugar level is less than 100 mg/dl prior to exercise, take a carbohydrate snack prior to beginning the exercise.
- If you experience hypoglycemia, during exercise, consume some sugar and follow up with your doctor.
- For long duration and/or high intensity exercise sessions, plan extra carbohydrate snacks during the activity. Additional carbohydrates is suggested each 30 to 60 minutes of exercise
- Always carry a fast-acting carbohydrate food such as glucose tablets when exercising in the event blood sugar drops too low and hypoglycemia symptoms develop during exercise.
- Carry ID, which identifies you as having diabetes, particularly if you are exercising alone so that others may help you appropriately in the event something unexpected happens.