According to the American Diabetes Association, diet and exercise are the cornerstones of maintaining good blood glucose control. However you may have noticed, that when you exercise sometimes your blood glucose level drops. It is important that you monitor your blood glucose levels after exercise, especially rigorous activity, because exercise can cause your blood glucose levels to drop in the hours following the activity.
How Exercise Affects Blood Glucose Levels
According to the American Diabetes Association the body can metabolize glucose for up to 24 hours after exercising. The liver is the place in the body that stores glucose for later use. When you exercise for long periods of time, or participate in very intense activities, the body will use the glucose that is stored in the liver for energy. Subsequently, when the exercise is over, the body seeks to replenish the glucose from the liver that was used. If you haven’t eaten, the body will pull the glucose needed from the bloodstream. If this happens, you may experience symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Low Blood Sugar Symptoms
All diabetics experience symptoms of low blood sugar from time to time. It is important to recognize the symptoms so that you can treat them as soon as possible. The following is a list of common hypoglycemia symptoms provided by the American Diabetes Association.
- paleness of skin
- confusion or difficulty paying attention
- headache
- hunger
- shakiness
- jerky movements or clumsiness
- tingling around the mouth
- sweating
- seizure
How to Avoid Low Glucose Level Symptoms After Exercising
Remember to check your blood glucose levels immediately following exercise, and every 45 minutes thereafter until you notice that your blood sugar level is leveling off. If you notice that your blood sugar level continues to drop after exercising, or if you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia, then eat some carbohydrate-containing foods. Specifically, eat 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrates.
Eating two tablespoons of raisins, four saltine crackers, four teaspoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of honey, or drinking 4 ounces of juice can help to recover your blood sugar levels quickly. Each of these snacks contains 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrates.
If you frequently experience hypoglycemic episodes after exercising, discuss this with your healthcare professional. Your physician or your diabetes educator can give you pointers or tips on how to better control your blood glucose levels after exercising. Remember, exercising is an important component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle with diabetes.
Sources:
American Diabetes Association: Basic Tips on Living with Diabetes (accessed 9/1/2010)
American Diabetes Association: Low Blood Sugar Symptoms(accessed 9/1/2010)
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Cheri Pearson - Cheri Pearson is a seasoned freelance journalist who holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of ...
