Why is exercise so important for people with diabetes?
Exercise has many benefits for everyone, and for someone with diabetes
regular exercise combined with a good diet can help control diabetes
and decrease the risk and extent of long-term complications. Exercise
not only burns calories, which can help with weight reduction, but
it also improves the body's response to the hormone insulin. As
a result, following a regular exercise program can make oral diabetes
medications and insulin more effective and helps control blood glucose
levels.
Exercise also reduces some risk factors for heart disease. For example,
exercise can lower fat and cholesterol levels in the blood. It also
can lower blood pressure and increase production of good cholesterol,
called HDL, which protects against heart disease.
Infrequent, strenuous exercise however, can strain muscles and the
circulatory system and increase the risk of a heart attack during
exercise. A doctor can decide how much exercise is safe for an individual.
The doctor will consider how well controlled a person's diabetes is,
the general condition of the heart and circulatory system, and whether
existing complications require that a person avoid certain types of
activity.
Walking is great exercise, especially for a previously inactive person,
and it's easy to do. A person can start off walking for 15 or 20 minutes,
three or four times a week, and gradually increase the speed and/or
distance of the walks. The purpose of a good exercise program is to
find an enjoyable activity and do it regularly. Doing strenuous exercise
for six months and then stopping isn't as effective. People taking
oral drugs or insulin need to remember that strenuous exercise can
cause dangerously low blood glucose levels and they should always
carry food or drink high in sugar for medical emergencies.
Signs of hypoglycemia include hunger, nervousness, shakiness, weakness,
sweating, headache, and blurred vision. As a precaution, a person
with diabetes should wear an identification bracelet or necklace to
alert a stranger that the wearer has diabetes and may need special
medical in an emergency.
A doctor may advise someone with high blood pressure or other complications
to avoid exercise that raises blood pressure. For example, lifting
heavy objects and exercises that strain the upper body increase blood
pressure.
People with diabetes who have lost sensitivity in their feet can
also enjoy exercise, such as swimming or bicycling. They should choose
shoes carefully and check their feet regularly for breaks in skin
that could lead to infection.
NIH Publication No. 97-241 September 1992
