Athletes With Diabetes Health Weight Loss Nutrition Tips Guide

Athletes With Diabetes In Tune With Their Bodies

By Myfawny Craighter

Diabetics can be found in all walks of life, and the sporting arena is no different. Despite the seriousness of the disease, with knowledge, proper control, and support, the diabetic can excel in a variety of sports.

There have been many successful athletes and sports personalities who have had diabetes but were able to control their illness enough to not interfere with their activities. Three famous athletes who had diabetes are the boxing great Joe Frazier, one of baseball’s top hitters Ty Cobb, and tennis star Arthur Ashe.

For athletes with diabetes to be comfortable, they need to know that help will be available in the rare case of a medical emergency. As such, the coach or physical fitness trainer has to be aware of the athlete’s diabetic condition.

Taking Responsibility For Managing Diabetes

Athletes with diabetes compete in a wide variety of sports, including marathons, cycling, and football. What these athletes do, as should any person with diabetes wanting to compete in sports or exercise, is take responsibility for their disease. Taking responsibility means to review your options and doing the following:

Testing your blood sugar before you start playing and right after you stop. Test every half hour while playing if the activity is intense, if your blood sugar levels are too high, avoid playing until you have lowered them through medication

Do not play immediately after eating. A one-hour delay is advisable in most cases. Wear proper-fitting shoes as diabetics tend to have poor circulation

Tell Your Coaches And Trainers Of Your Medical Condition

Because athletes with diabetes may suffer complications due to the illness, it is necessary to provide information on these conditions to coaches and sports personnel. Most importantly, trainers should have information on hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia which result from high or low glucose levels in the blood stream.

Don’t depend on the fact that you know what to do to manage diabetes - you’ll need others to know what to do as well in an emergency situation that could easily arise from high levels of physical activity.

Seek Medical Advice Immediately

Athletes with diabetes should be in tune with his or her body, recognizing every signal that it sends. Seek medical help if you feel that something is wrong; it’s always better to err on the side of caution.

It is a good idea to get a medic alert bracelet so that help can be given if the need arises. Getting the support of your doctor is necessary, as he or she can provide you will valuable medical information. Becoming involved with support groups can be a great source of encouragement, especially if you are an adolescent.

Please Note: All information given on this site is for information purposes and is not to replace any medical opinion or medical diagnosis given by a qualified medical doctor, a dietitian/nutritional expert or any other medical expert, as individual circumstances may vary. Please see your medical doctor, before any action is taken to alleviate symptoms.

This Article was about Athletes With Diabetes

About the Author:
Myfawny Craighter is an author of articles on health, exercise, dieting, weight loss and nutrition including Health Fitness, Weight Loss Success, Total Fat, Acid Diet, Binge Eating.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles coming soon.

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