What timing consideration is advisable for patients taking insulin regarding exercise?

What timing consideration is advisable for patients taking insulin regarding exercise?

• A. Exercise should avoid periods when insulin is peaking to reduce hypoglycaemia risk.
• B. Timing does not affect hypoglycaemia risk.
• C. Exercise should only occur during insulin peaks.
• D. Insulin should be stopped before exercise.

Answer: (A)

When you exercise, your muscles take up more glucose and your body’s insulin sensitivity increases. If you work out while insulin action is peaking, the combination can push blood glucose down faster, raising the risk of hypoglycemia during or after the activity. So the safer approach is to plan exercise for a time when insulin isn’t at its peak, or adjust your routine under medical guidance so the workout doesn’t coincide with peak insulin. If you must exercise during a peak, monitor your blood glucose closely and have a quick source of carbohydrate handy to prevent lows. Stopping insulin before exercise isn’t advised because it can lead to poor blood glucose control overall, and saying timing doesn’t matter isn’t accurate since timing directly affects hypoglycemia risk.

When you exercise, your muscles take up more glucose and your body’s insulin sensitivity increases. If you work out while insulin action is peaking, the combination can push blood glucose down faster, raising the risk of hypoglycemia during or after the activity. So the safer approach is to plan exercise for a time when insulin isn’t at its peak, or adjust your routine under medical guidance so the workout doesn’t coincide with peak insulin. If you must exercise during a peak, monitor your blood glucose closely and have a quick source of carbohydrate handy to prevent lows. Stopping insulin before exercise isn’t advised because it can lead to poor blood glucose control overall, and saying timing doesn’t matter isn’t accurate since timing directly affects hypoglycemia risk.