Exercise

Swimming And Diabetes

Introduction

Swimming a delightful activity and is also one of the best forms of exercise. Besides being enjoyable, it offers a good fitness workout with minimal impact on joints and feet.

Whether it is swimming or exercising or just having fun, water activities can make one feel great. It is especially true in case of those who have some kind of joint pains because these pains are relived while swimming in the water stream. The enthusiasm of the water with which it flows takes the pain away from these joints which makes one move easily and faster than on the land. While it is easy to swim it also exercises different parts of body such as heart, lungs and cardiovascular system.

Swimming also help to lose weight. And also because swimming or working out in water does not cause straining, it’s also particularly good if you have diabetic nerve damage--neuropathy or diabetic eye disease—retinopathy.

Starting with the activity

As with any exercise or activity in case of diabetics, a doctor should be contacted before starting off with swimming exercises. One should look out that he/she is in a proper condition for this activity. Before starting any water activity, get your self a bathing suit, goggles and also a pair of light rubber shoes with nonskid soles.

Diabetics should never go barefooted at the beach or by the pool where there can be any sharp things such as stones spreading out on the ground. Even if diabetics don’t feel about it their skin might not be as sensitive as it was once. Even if they have not been treated with diabetic neuropathy, stepping on stones or any sharp things might cause a serious situation.

Finally if diabetics are willing to go out for a while then they should be equipped by a serious sun blocker, long sleeved shirt and a hat which might very well protect them. Even an umbrella can be added as sunburn can affect the diabetes control and might well take long time to cure again when one has either type of diabetes.

Checking it out

When involving in water activity do check the blood sugar level several times before and after the activity. It is a must if the activity is being practiced for the first time. One should even check it half way during the activity to know the variations of these blood sugar levels and which way are they going. If they are falling downwards then take some carbs and make sure these blood sugar levels have stabilized before jumping in aging. Doing so will show how the blood sugar levels are acting to the new activity.

Letting them know

Diabetics should let everyone around know about them, which will be very useful in any serious situation. Wear a medical alert bracelet or some other form of identification to let people know you have diabetes and also tell swimming or water aerobics instructors about his/her diabetes. If one discovers that their blood sugar levels are running high during the activity or even they are abnormal then do talk to doctor.

Using Sense

As with any exercise start this activity also with warm up and stretching in the water to help prevent injuries. Then do some cooling activities before coming out as this will help eliminate soreness. And unless one is taking classes ask a friend to come along. One just doesn’t want to be alone as if something happens in the water you cannot help yourself, its just using commonsense.

Also always carry diabetic equipments along with you to the pool or beach so that they can be used in emergency. If one is taking insulin then they should carry a quick acting sugar with them so as to help them out in serious conditions. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, carry a high carbohydrate snack along to help prevent or treat low blood sugars. Try peanut butter and cracker as they can help you out quickly.