Bodybuilding with Diabetes

Zach Bashore

April 24, 2006

The symptoms of diabetes may begin slowly and hard to identify at

first. They may include fatigue, frequent urination, excessive thirst, and a

feeling of becoming sick. When there is extra glucose in the blood, one way

the body gets rid of it is through frequent urination. This loss of fluids

can cause excessive thirst. Diabetes can also cause other symptoms such as

blurred vision, slow healing of skin, sudden weight loss, genital itching,

and gum and urinary tract infections.

People who suffer from diabetes must take extra precautions when

wanting to exercise. These people should not exercise outside on very hot or

humid days due to the increased risk of heat stroke or exhaustion. If you

are exercising in warm weather , dress in loose-fitted clothing or special

fabrics that promote heat loss. To prevent dehydration, drink a cup of cold

water before and after exercise. If your exercise session lasts longer that

thirty minutes or if you sweat alot, drink water during your workout. Make

sure that you know the warning signs of heart problems such as jaw, arm, and

chest pain, dizziness, nausea, irregular pulse, and unusual shortness of

breath during exercise. Exercise, along with good nutrition, helps decrease

body fat, which helps normalize glucose metabolism. Exercise also helps

lower coronary risk factors such as high cholesterol and high blood

pressure.

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong disease which occurs when the pancreas

does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Without

adequate insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream leading to increased

hunger. In addition, the high levels of glucose in the blood causes the

patient to urinate more, which also causes excessive thirst. Within five to

ten years after diagnosis, the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas

are completely destroyed and no more insulin can be produced. Type 1

diabetes can happen at any age, but it usually begins with people under the

age of twenty-five. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown and only

accounts for around 5 percent of the new cases formed each year.

Previously known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, type 2

diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. 90-95 percent of people who

have diabetes have type 2. People with type 2 diabetes produce insulin, but

either do not make enough insulin or their bodies do not use the insulin it

makes. Type 2 diabetes typically occurs after the age of forty years. A

resistance to insulin develops, often accompanied by excess weight and

leaving the pancreas unable to produce enought insulin to compensate.

Hypoglycemia is the clinical syndrome that results from low blood

sugar. The symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from person to person which can

become severe enough to need treatment. Classically, hypoglycemia is

diagnosed by a low blood sugar with symptoms that resolve when the blood

sugar returns to a normal range. While patients who do not have any

metabolic problems can complain of symptoms suggestive of low blood sugar.

Hypoglycemia usually occurs in patients being treated for type 1 or type 2

diabetes. Patients with pre-diabetes can also have low blood sugars on

occasion if their high circulating insulin levels are further challenged by

a prolonged period of fasting.

Living with diabetes is not fun, but by taking preventative care of

yourself, you can do the things you want to do in life. Exercise and proper

nutrition are very important to steps in recovery and you never know, maybe

you didn`t have diabetes after all, you just needed a lesson in nutrition.

*http://www.medicinenet.com/hypoglycemia/article.htm

*http://www.gssiweb.com/reflib/refs/622/sse90.cfm?pid=38

*http://www.simplefitnesssolutions.com/articles/diabetes.htm

*http://www.smartplay.net/ouch/medical/diabetes/diabetesfacts.html

*http://www.ti.ubc.ca/pages/letter23.htm

*http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&defl=en&q=define:Type+2+diabetes&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title