The Athlete and Diabetes - What Do They Need To Do To Manage Their Disease Successfully?

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 an athlete to be comfortable, that person needs 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.

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 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

The diabetic athlete needs to form a partnership with their doctor, trainers, and others that directly impact their activities. Coaches and first aid personnel need to know the symptoms of complications that can affect a diabetic athlete, such as hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Believing that an emergency situation will never happen is irresponsible and can place others in a frightening situation while making them powerless to help you or control the problem.

There are number of must-dos for the athlete with diabetes, which include wearing a medical bracelet and joining support groups for encouragement and motivation. The diabetic athlete must also be aware of his or her body's responses to changes in sugar and insulin levels. Knowing these changes will alert them that they need to take medication or rest, as the case may be.

To learn more go to Diabetes Cure and at Managing Diabetes