Diabetes and exercise are interrelated---exercising daily decreases diabetic complications such as heart disease, high blood sugar and obesity. Physical activity is not only safe, but highly recommended, reports Health.com. The American Diabetes Association advises that physical activity reduces glucose levels, which may lead to less insulin or diabetic medication being required. A person with diabetes should implement several precautions before hitting the gym for the most effective and healthy workout results.
Physician's Recommendation
Speaking with a physician is highly recommended before starting an exercise program, especially if the diabetic previously followed a sedentary lifestyle, suggests the Mayo Clinic. The clinic recommends that patients speak with a medical doctor about the type of exercise or activities being considered, the exercise schedule, and how the physical activity will affect diabetes medications. Health.com reminds patients not to rely on experts at the gym, such as trainers or coaches. Though well-educated in physical fitness, a trainer may not understand the relationship between diabetes and physical activity.
Foot Wear
Wearing the proper shoes is critical when exercising, especially for a diabetic who suffers from neuropathy. Nearly half of all diabetes patients have some form of neuropathy, or nerve damage, and the most common type is seen in the feet. A person with diabetes cannot feel if his shoes do not fit correctly or are too tight. The formation of ulcers, blisters or calluses is not felt because of numbness and sensory loss to the feet.
Inspecting feet daily after exercising is highly recommended, suggests the American Diabetes Association. A diabetic should select workout shoes with the assistance of a properly trained shoe fitter to ensure the correct fit. Wearing acrylic blend or natural fiber socks when working out is recommended by the American Diabetes Association.
Blood Sugar
A person with diabetes should check his blood sugar 30 minutes before exercising and immediately after, advises the Mayo Clinic. A low blood sugar--less than 100 mg/dL--indicates that exercise may not be safe. Patients are advised to eat a small carbohydrate snack, such as fruit or crackers, and recheck blood sugar levels before beginning a workout if a low glucose level is present. The clinic advises achieving a blood sugar reading that falls between 100 and 250 mg/dL before exercising.
Those with blood sugar readings higher than 250 mg/dL should have urine tests for ketones before exercising. When the body does not have enough insulin, ketones are created to break down fat into energy. A person who exercises when ketones are present risks further complications from ketoacidosis, including brain swelling, heart activity and loss of consciousness. Ketoacidosis requires immediate, emergency treatment and can be fatal.
Patients with ketones in their urine should wait to exercise until urine testing reveals that ketones are no longer present. Patients with extremely high blood sugars measuring over 300 mg/dL should not exercise until blood sugar drops; patients should also test for ketones in the urine.
