User:Tarrin1234/sandbox

Management of diabetes in competitive sports
The extensive research and advancements in medicines has helped diabetics over the years be able to manage their disease much more effectively. Being able to manage the disease more effectively has given diabetics the ability to safely participate in vigorous exercise, weight lifting, and competitive sports.

Glucose Meter
The first easy-to-use home glucose meters really didn’t arrive on the scene until around 1981 with the Glucometer and a few others. These meters used the same basic process we still use today, in which blood is exposed to an enzyme (the two main types being glucose oxidase and glucose dehydrogenase — the latter being a little more accurate but also more prone to interfering reactions with other substances). Once the blood is exposed to this enzyme, its oxidized (loses electrons), and it is then passed through an electrode, which reads the current, which is proportional to the amount of oxidized glucose. The more glucose is in the blood sample, the higher the oxidation will be, causing a higher current, and hence a higher number. Theses glucose meters are the same thing that all diabetics are using today, they’ve been studied more and more with the consistency of the enzymes in the test strips has given the glucose meters more accuracy. The accuracy of the meter gives the user an accurate reading of their glucose level which will help control the A1C.

A1C Test
Diabetic’s have been taking the A1C test for a little over 70 years now, the A1C test was created around 1940 by Anthony Cerami. The test was created to monitor one’s average glucose level from the past two-three months. This test is done to tell the patient and the doctor if the carbohydrate ratio and insulin intake is working effectively to maintain a good glucose level or if the treatment needs to be modified.

Complications
If the A1c of an athlete is unstable, it can be harmful to one’s body and deadly as a whole. An unstable A1c can completely throw off the athlete, it slowly affects the athlete's major organs and exercise can speed up that deadly process. The athlete’s heart, blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, eyes, feet, skin, and mouth can all be permanently damaged if the A1c is not monitored and managed correctly. If any other complications come in play in an athlete's life, obviously they cannot compete in any competitive sports.

Cautions while exercising
When exercising or competing in sports, an athlete must always have their glucose meter and at the very least 15g of fast acting glucose on hand. The reason for this, is because during exercise or competition, the athlete has a chance of experiencing hypoglycemia or low blood glucose. Hypoglycemia can be very dangerous during exercise or competition because the athlete’s glucose level could drop too low and the athlete could potentially faint and fall into a cama that could be very deadly. Treating hypoglycemia can be very simple and quick. First if the athlete is experiencing shaking\jittering, sweaty, increased heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, tiredness, paleness, or disorientation, they should stop what they’re doing, test the glucose level. If the glucose level is 70 or lower, the athlete must consume 15g of carbohydrates and rest for at least 10-15 minutes and repeat if the glucose level is still below 70.

Avoiding Hypoglycemia
To avoid hypoglycemia(Low glucose level), while exercising or competing, test the glucose level beforehand. If the glucose level is below 150, take 15g or carbohydrates. The day of exercising, do not skip or delay meals, not having meals for several hours can cause hypoglycemia during exercise or competition even if the glucose level is stable beforehand. Lastly, to avoid hypoglycemia during exercise, take a lower intake of insulin before the activity, but this has to be prescribed by your endocrinologist or primary doctor. Hypoglycemia can also occur hours after exercising or competition, these are called delayed lows. Delayed lows typically occur when an athlete skips or delays meals the day of exercising. These lows can be very dangerous because they occur hours after of exercising and they are very rapid and unexpected.

Avoiding Hyperglycemia
Avoiding hyperglycemia(High glucose level), during exercise or competition, blood glucose may increase because of adrenaline running through the body. This may be uncontrollable and only reduced. But before exercising, one must always test the blood glucose, the glucose level reading is 150-170, it should be safe to continue in the activity. The reading is 200 or above, the athlete must take the dosage of insulin prescribed by the endocrinologist or primary doctor. This is needed because if the glucose reading is already elevated, it can be raised by the adrenaline in the body and cause not only long risk damage, but also immediate complications.

Eating a healthy and well balanced diet is crucial for any diabetic. Being a diabetic athlete makes this much more crucial. Controlling your A1c is maintained by a healthy diet, correct monitoring or blood glucose levels, and correct insulin intake. Here’s a list of foods that are beneficial for maintaining a healthy diet and help control A1c.
 * Fatty Fish
 * Leafy Greens
 * Natural Cinnamon
 * Eggs
 * Chia seeds and a variety of nuts
 * Natural yogurts
 * Broccoli
 * Avocado
 * Flaxseeds
 * Most fruits
 * Extra virgin olive oil