Understanding exercise and diabetes

Physical activity affects people differently, depending on what type of diabetes they have and their treatment method.

Exercise and insulin resistance

If you have type 2 diabetes, your body may be resistant to insulin. This means your body has lost its ability to use insulin properly. If you use any of the oral medications listed below, and you do not take a sulfonylurea or insulin, you do not need to be concerned about exercise-related problems.

• Biguanides (Glucophage®, Glucophage® XR
• Thiazolidinediones (Avandia®, Actos®)
• Meglitinides (Prandin®)
• D-phenylalanine Derivatives (Starlix®)
• Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors (Precose®, Glyset®)
• Combination pill (Avandamet®)

Exercise and insulin deficiency

If you treat your diabetes with any of the following, you are probably insulin deficient. This means your pancreas cannot make enough insulin or does not make insulin at all. Exercise is good for you, but you need to be careful.

• Insulin
• Sulfonylurea (such as DiaBeta®, Micronase®, Glynase®, Glucotrol®, Glucotrol XL™, Amaryl®, Glucovance®, Metaglip®)

Combining exercise with insulin or insulin-stimulating medications (sulfonylureas) increases the risk that your blood glucose level will go too low or too high; however, the benefits far outweigh the risks.

The best way to exercise safely is to test your blood glucose before and after you exercise. If you exercise for more than one hour, test before starting each additional hour. Recording your blood glucose numbers and activity can help you learn how your body reacts to exercise, so you can prevent problems in the future.

To make an appointment with International Diabetes Center, call 952-993-3393 or toll-free at 888-825-6315.