By Jay Salyer, APRN-CNP
Endocrinology & Diabetes Specialists of Northwest Ohio
Type 2 diabetes is an illness that interferes with the way in which your body utilizes blood sugar. The human body is made of trillions of cells (brain cells, muscle cells, skin cells, hair cells, etc.) and all of those cells need sugar to function properly. Sugar is transported to body cells with the help of the hormone insulin. If your body stops making insulin (type 1 diabetes) or stops responding to insulin appropriately (type 2 diabetes), sugar can elevate in the bloodstream rather than getting to the cells where it belongs. Insulin resistance, a major contributor to the development of type 2 diabetes, can be improved through regular physical activity, which dramatically improves diabetic control by reducing the amount of medication needed to treat the disease.
Benefits of activity
Regular physical activity helps to prevent and/or improve a variety of chronic illnesses including heart disease, osteoporosis, various cancers, depression, anxiety, as well as type 2 diabetes. With a focus on diabetes, activity increases the effect of insulin within the body. Medications used to treat the disease are also more effective with regular activity. These improvements are not only witnessed during activity itself, but last for several hours following exercise completion. Additionally, long-standing increase in insulin sensitivity happens from increased muscle mass, reduction in fat tissues, and changes within the liver all of which, in turn, significantly improves blood sugar control.
Considerations before, during and after exercise
It is important for those with diabetes to consult with their healthcare team before engaging in strenuous activity to ensure safety. If deemed safe, individuals should maintain hydration with plenty of fluids before, during and after activity. It’s crucial to ensure they wear well-fitting shoes to prevent sores to feet. Monitoring of blood sugars before, during and after activity is also important, as fluctuation can be expected. It would be sensible to keep rapidly absorbed carbohydrates (juice, glucose tablets, etc.) on hand should low blood sugars occur, particularly for those using insulin.
