Diabetic teenagers who are in charge of controlling their blood glucose levels need to know how exercise affects their bodies. Under stable conditions, exercise facilitates insulin's regulating action. Blood sugar may rise or fall in response to physical activity, creating states of hyperglycemia (high) or hypoglycemia (low), extremes on the norm. If you're a teen with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, with a few precautions, you can fend off extremes and perform well at games and sports.
Function
During physical activity, your body burns stored carbohydrates as fuel for increased nerve action, muscle power and respiration. Exercise cues the body to release more sugar into the bloodstream. You'll need to adjust your insulin schedule to control high glucose levels before and during sports. If your body runs low on blood glucose, you'll need to ingest some sugar to stabilize before returning to play.
Identification
Hypoglycemia is the more common complication for diabetic teenagers who play sports. It's caused by using up sugar stores without replenishing them. Symptoms include shaking, lightheadedness, weakness, headache and hunger. Fainting or seizures are extreme symptoms. Hyperglycemia is the high blood sugar response to low insulin. Signs of high blood glucose are excessive thirst, weakness and blurred vision.
Prevention
Diabetic teenagers can fit right in with team activities by planning ahead before sports or gym class. Nemours Foundation for KidsHealth advises that this may entail timing blood glucose tests and adjusting insulin dosages to best address the exertion of the physical activity. You may need to eat and drink more before, during or after a workout. Check with your doctor for instructions specific to your condition.
Considerations
Sports and exercise are fine as long as you are diligently managing your diabetes. Playing or working hard when you don't have enough insulin in your body can cause a build-up of ketones in the blood, threatening vital body functions. The resulting dehydration is especially dangerous when you are sweating from physical activity. The American Diabetes Association suggests staying hydrated when exercising by drinking sugar-free beverages that don't affect your blood glucose level.
Misconceptions
Contrary to what some people think, however, diabetic teenagers can and should exercise regularly. Team sports are okay, too, because most of these incorporate time for breaks, when you can rehydrate, get a snack or test your blood glucose level. With the right awareness and maintenance, you won't overdo it during a long game. Diabetics are encouraged to get the same amount of exercise as all kids: about an hour a day, on most days of the week.
