The landscape of chronic disease prevention and management in our country is increasingly intricate. Among individuals aged 55 to 64, the prevalence of chronic conditions stands at 48.4%, rising to an alarming 62.3% for those aged 65 and older. This underscores an important perspective: “exercise is the best medicine.” By combining exercise therapy with pharmacological treatments, we can not only improve the management of these diseases but also significantly boost the quality of life for patients.
For individuals living with diabetes, it’s essential to closely monitor blood sugar levels both before and after exercising. Engaging in intense workouts with uncontrolled blood sugar can pose serious risks. Specifically, for those with type 1 diabetes, if fasting blood sugar levels exceed 13.8 mmol/L or if urine tests show positive ketones, they should proceed with caution due to the heightened risk of high blood sugar during physical activity. On the other hand, those who use insulin or oral hypoglycemic medications, particularly sulfonylureas, face a greater risk of low blood sugar. In such cases, it’s advisable to either replenish energy or adjust insulin dosages when participating in vigorous activities.
Moreover, diabetes patients should prioritize wearing appropriate athletic footwear and attire and should select conducive environments for their workouts. Incorporating a 5-minute warm-up prior to exercise and cooling down afterward can be highly beneficial, along with ensuring proper hydration following workouts. Patients experiencing severe complications, like heart failure, significant diabetic nephropathy, or retinopathy, should carefully consider their choice of exercise type and intensity to avoid potential risks.
Author: Rong Rong, Rehabilitation Medicine Center, Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital
Reviewed by: Lu Xiao, Member of the National Health Science Expert Database, Rehabilitation Medicine Center, Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital
Planning: Wang Ning, Yu Yunxi
Source: Healthy China WeChat Official Account
[Edited by: Zhou Chi]
