Diabetes and Exercise

Question 1

What is type 1 diabetes?

Answer 1

Beta cells do not produce insulin

Question 2

What is type 2 diabetes?

Answer 2

Beta cells do not produce enough insulin

Question 3

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Answer 3

Blood sugar level of >126mg/dL after overnight fast

Question 4

What is the treatment for type 1 diabetes?

Answer 4

Daily insulin injections, glucose tests, eating plan and regular exercise

Question 5

What is the treatment for type 2 diabetes?

Answer 5

Eating plan and regular exercise, moving to medication

Question 6

What are the complications of diabetes?

Answer 6

Retinopathy, renal disease, neuropathy, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction

Question 7

True or false: Exercise makes body cells more sensitive to insulin

Answer 7

True

Question 8

How should changes to insulin dosage be made?

Answer 8

By changing by no more than 2 units at a time

Question 9

What is hypoglycaemia?

Answer 9

Blood glucose levels below 3.0mmol/L

Question 10

What are the exercise recommendations for hypoglycaemia?

Answer 10

• Exercise 30-60 minutes after eating

- Start exercise on upper end of normal blood sugar range

Question 11

What are the characteristics of hypoglycaemia?

Answer 11

• Occurs more at night
• Causes peaks and troughs
• After hypo, body usually rebounds into high blood glucose range

Question 12

How can hypoglycaemia be prevented during continuous activity?

Answer 12

• 15g complex carbohydrate per 20 mins of moderate activity > 1 hour
• For exercise over 1 hour: Simple sugar soft drinks/fruit juice

Question 13

What are the symptoms of hypoglycaemia?

Answer 13

Behaviour change, disorientation, inability to concentrate, sweating, paleness, headache, hunger

Question 14

Who is at risk of hypoglycaemia?

Answer 14

Insulin dependent diabetics and type 2 diabetics using drugs from the sulphonylureas group

Question 15

What is the treatment for hypoglycaemia?

Answer 15

• 125mL fruit juice
• 200mL soft drink
• 7 diabetic jelly beans
• Dessert spoon of jam/honey
  Feed, wait 10-15 minutes, feed again with 15g complex carbohydrate

Question 16

What is hyperglycaemia?

Answer 16

Blood sugar levels more than 14mmol/L

Question 17

What happens when the body is insulin deficient?

Answer 17

Body breaks down fat for energy, causing ketones to form

Question 18

How many injections does high level activity require per day?

Answer 18

4 - 3 short-acting and 1 long-acting insulin

Question 19

Where should active people inject insulin?

Answer 19

The abdomen

Question 20

What should the feet of diabetics be examined for?

Answer 20

Changes in skin colour, swelling, sores, ingrown toenails, cracks/cuts

Question 21

What effect can activity have on a diabetic’s vision?

Answer 21

Retinal detachment or vitreous haemorrhage