Is it possible to exercise with diabetes - Doctor gives clear answer

How sports affect blood sugar levels

Physical activity is an important part of diabetes management. It helps maintain stable glucose levels, improves cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

However, it's important to know how to choose the right exercise, control your sugar levels, and avoid potential risks.

According to the doctor, during exercise, the muscles actively consume glucose from the blood, which lowers its level. Regular exercise increases insulin sensitivity, which helps the body regulate glucose levels more effectively.

However, there is a risk of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia during intense or prolonged physical activity. Therefore, it is important to monitor your glucose levels before exercise, always have fast carbohydrates with you, and drink plenty of water.

Types of physical activity that are good for diabetes

Aerobic exercise

They improve insulin sensitivity, strengthen the heart, and reduce the risk of complications.

These include brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, aerobics, and Nordic walking.

Strength training

These exercises strengthen muscles, increase endurance, and help maintain stable glucose levels. These include exercises with dumbbells, barbells, exercise machines, push-ups, and sit-ups.

Flexibility and balance

Improve coordination and reduce the risk of falls, especially important for people with diabetic neuropathy. This includes yoga, Pilates, and stretching.

When not to exercise

In diabetes, you should avoid physical activity when the glucose level is more than 16.7 mmol/L and there are ketones in the urine (a sign of metabolic disorders).

In case of hypoglycemia less than 4 mmol/l. But first, it is necessary to normalize the sugar level.

Also in case of diabetic neuropathy or serious complications. It is important to discuss possible physical activity with your doctor.

What to absolutely avoid

With diabetes, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid complications. Here are the main things to avoid:

• skipping meals - this can cause sudden fluctuations in blood sugar levels
• eat a lot of fast carbohydrates - sweets, white bread, and carbonated drinks can cause a sharp jump in glucose
• ignore blood sugar levels - it is important to check regularly and adjust treatment
• drink alcohol without control - alcoholic beverages can cause sudden changes in sugar levels and make it difficult to predict its fluctuations
• change the dosage of medications without permission - insulin or pills should be taken as prescribed by a doctor
• ignore stress - emotional overstrain can negatively affect glucose levels

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.