Running and Diabetes

[Deleted User]

Hello, any other insulin dependent diabetics out there? I'm 28 and have been an insulin dependent diabetic for 16 years now. Have never let it stop me from doing anything and love exercising. Don't think I've been running long enough to come up against major problems with respect to my control yet, only on a run/walk program at the moment, but am thinking as i run for longer and longer times, i'm going to really have to think about how to keep my level up. Any others who have dealt with all of this and can give me some advice?

cheers
c
x

[Deleted User]

Hi, Carol.

I'm Type 2 (although not insulin dependent) and find a sports drink sipped on the way round long runs seems to keep blood sugar stable. Having said that, I had my first hypo for yonks on a run yesterday!!

I always carry one a few sugar lumps with me just in case (needed them yesterday) and do a blood test before a long run.

I have to say that, with the exception of yesterday, running has helped me control my diabetes and I've managed to shed some weight, too.

I'd have a chat to your GP or diabetic nurse (if there's one in your area) for advice.

Good luck.

[Deleted User]

Please could you improve my knowledge a bit here:

Type 1: insufficient insulin production?

Type 2: tissues resistant to insulin?

Both of these would lead to decreased glucose uptake by tissues - so more glucose remaining in the blood?

So how does a 'hypo' rather than a 'hyper' occur?


Thanks

Broadsword Calling Danny Boy

hypo means low, hyper means high.

Look on the Blackpool mara thread, Ron McAndrew (the organiser) has it.

He's just done Two Oceans, so may be worth asking him for help.

[Deleted User]

Carol: I'm a fellow type 1, and you're right to be asking questions about the impact of running on your diabetes. Of course, the good news is that running has a marvelous impact on your overall cardiovascular system, which can only reduce the risks of diabetic complications. But long distance running can be tricky with type 1 (which is, despite popular mythology, very different from type 2. Also, type 1 isn't "insufficent" insulin production; it is zero insulin production). First, it is essential to bring candies or gels with you to prevent going hypo (1-2 gummy bears every mile works for me, or a power bar every 6 miles, eaten in small bites as I go). You should test the BS before a run, and hold off if it is >220. If it is <100, eat a snack before you go. Since you're planning to do longer runs, which is where things get really dicey, bring your monitor with you and test every 5 miles or so (I bring my insulin along too). The harder you run, the more the BS will drop, and the more often you should test. The bottom line is that you will have to ingest more carbs than you are used to, especially if you move into really long distances. Since taking up marathoning a few years back, I've become much more aware of my diabetes. A BS that is too high or too low can ruin a training run. It's wonderful that you're running, but do be careful. Also, I wear a wrist band with my medical information on it, just in case!! Happy running... Jennifer

[Deleted User]

Alex

the hypos(low sugars) happen as a result of the treatment(insulin or tablets) used to treat the high blood sugars

[Deleted User]

wow, was really excited when i saw all these messages this morning, glad there is some interest.

Alex, someone without diabetes produces insulin in demand epending on what food they have had, Type 1 diabetics don't produce any, so we have to take insulin according to what we are eating. When the two don't balance, i.e. too much insulin for the food we have had our blood sugars drop and hence the term hypo. When it is the other way around, and we don't take enough insulin to balance our food intake our blood sugars go high and hence the term hyper. That is all in very simplistic terms though. Not just food affects the balance, exercise reduces your requirement for insulin, an increase in weight (fat, not muscle) may require an increase in insulin requirement. Stress causes my blood sugars to go high. It's just all about balance.

Like I've said, have never let it stop me from doing anything, I play badminton, squash, i go swimming, love snow boarding etc. And I never get upset about it all. Do feel a little frustrated at times though, but thats just because I'm so head strong )

Jennifer, thanks for all that. I have to deal with keeping my bloodsugars in balance when I'm doing all my other sports, but just felt that with running it was a little different, esecially longer distances. As I said though, no where near that yet, still tying my run/walk program, which is hindered my the fact that I'm experiencing a pain down the front of my right shin. Never out of breath, never feel tired, just the pain stops me from carrying on. Not sure if I started with too much running and not enough walking. Will take it easier and see what happens.

[Deleted User]

I am familiar with the basic mechanisms of glucose regulation, but I was struggling to see how lack of insulin or insensitivity to insulin would result in anything other than high blood glucose. But now you've explained that hypos occur due to an over correction (larger insulin dose than required) it all makes sense. Thanks.

I am familiar with the insulin-independant uptake of glucose into muscle during and after exercise. So its the difficulty in reducing the dose to compensate for this additional glucose uptake in the exercise session (i.e. not reducing the dose enough) that leads to an exercise related hypo?

[Deleted User]

yep, thats it, but you tend to try and not vary your insulin intake by huge amounts everyday, hence the need to snack regularly, ie. snacking and reducing your insulin intake are two ways in which you can keep your blood sugars up.

The silver lining with diabetes is the fact that when your not feeling great and having a hypo, chocolate is your medicine )

Sam Panther

Carol

You may find some of the postings in the following thread helpful.

Running and Type 1 diabetes

Beanz52

Carol,
Nothing to add about the diabetes, but on the shin pain, do you have properly fitted running shoes? [from a proper runners shop, not a general sports chain like JJX, where the kids no little] If not that may sort that - an do sort it rather than trying to 'run through 'the pain - will not solve it.

Unknown

I'm another type 2'er, and running is an absolute cornerstone of my diabetes management. It hugely improves insulin sensitivity. (My consultant diabetologist also runs... faster than me).
Fortunately I don't have to think about insulin dosage issues.

[Deleted User]

Hey beanz, yep, went to run and become in cardiff a couple of years ago and got some shoes. I overpronate, and so have motion control shoes (i think that is what they call them anyway). They don't seem to make much difference though, except make my feet feel so heavy )

And Sam, thanks for the link, really interesting. Have posted a reply to it. Like other said, think it is all about trial and error, have done it for all my other sports, so am sure I'll do it with this one too, so long as I can sort out my leg (

cheers
c
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