Exercise directly affects your blood glucose levels. Check your blood glucose levels before, during and after exercise. If your glucose is at an unsafe level before exercise, activity can make it worse. Tracking your levels can ensure you are participating in a safe exercise program that will only benefit you. After all, regular exercise can be a helpful tool in diabetes management.
Before
If you are diabetic, you have a responsibility to test your blood glucose before exercising. Starting exercise with a low or high blood sugar can be unsafe. If your blood glucose is less than 100mg/dL, eat a snack containing 20 to 30g of carbohydrates and re-test until your glucose rises over 100mg/dL. If you start with a sugar level less than this you risk experiencing hypoglycemia during exercise. If your glucose is greater than 250mg/dL, do not exercise. Instead, test your urine for ketones. This may indicate ketoacidosis, a serious condition that warrants immediate medical help. If there are no ketones, yet you experience high blood glucose like this often, make an appointment to speak with your doctor.
During
A new exercise program or a change to your existing exercise program mandates a blood glucose check during exercise. This is especially important if you plan on working out for an extended duration. The Mayo Clinic recommends testing your blood sugar every 30 minutes in this case. If your levels are under 70mg/dL during exercise, stop and eat a carb-rich snack, like a 1/2 cup of juice or milk or five hard candies. Wait 15 minutes, then test again. Repeat until your glucose is in a safe range before you continue working out.
After
Hypoglycemia can occur after you exercise. During recovery your body re-fuels what it lost with exercise, which may mean drawing off your blood sugar stores. Test your glucose after exercise and respond appropriately to bring your glucose up to a safe resting range above 70 and below 140mg/dL. If you exercise in the evening, nocturnal hypoglycemia can occur. Test your glucose before bed and eat a carbohydrate snack before retiring for the night, if necessary.
Safe Exercise With Diabetes
Exercise can be very beneficial for a diabetic. For the long-term, exercise can be a useful tool in stabilizing blood glucose and offering you better control. Work up to exercising for 150 minutes per week at a moderate intensity doing aerobic activity. This includes movement of your large muscles like walking, jogging or biking.
References
- "ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription"; Mitchell H. Whaley, Ph.D., et al.; 2006
- MayoClinic.com; Diabetes and exercise: When to monitor your blood sugar; 2011
- "CECIL Essentials of Medicine"; Thomas E. Andreoli, et al.; 2004
