Exercise safety

While exercise itself is healthy, doing it the right way while also taking into consideration any existing ailments is necessary. Imagine running on the treadmill without having consumed enough water before the physical activity. You may end up compromising your health to an extent. While this was one of the many examples, chances are, you may encounter serious accidents especially if you have a medical condition. So, exercise caution while reaping the maximum benefits from your workout regime!

1. 1. Dehydration : Drink water before, during and after exercise to keep yourself sufficiently hydrated.

2. 2. Ischemic stroke : Symptoms such as transient dizziness or fainting are the initial symptoms of the brain lacking blood supply. It is followed by the inability to see by one or both eyes. If you have these symptoms you must stop exercise, sit down, rest and drink water first.

3. 3. Symptoms such as chest pain and pressure are known as angina during exercise : If you have these symptoms, you must stop exercise, sit down and rest. When the symptoms disappear, you can start exercising again.

   However, if the symptoms continue even though you rest for 20 minutes, you should get yourself checked by a medical doctor for acute myocardial infarction (acute MI) immediately.

4. 4. Muscles Atrophy : Sedentary elderly persons often have muscles atrophy, joints stiffness and slow reaction to stimulation. Their brain is not sensitive to postures. This can increase the risk of falls in the elderly during exercise. Elderly persons who have not exercised for a long time need to gradually increase the intensity according to their ability to build body endurance and flexibility in joints and muscles.

5. This can increase the risk of falls in the elderly during exercise. Elderly persons who have not exercised for a long time need to gradually increase the intensity and continuity according to their ability to build body endurance, flexibility in joint and strength in muscles.

6. 5. Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) should choose an exercise which is under moderate intensity and do it for short time periods in several bouts.

   In some cases, you may use a bronchodilator before exercise or use oxygen before, during or after exercise.

7. 6. Diabetes : If you have diabetes, you’ll need to take special care while exercising. Follow the cautionary measures below to ensure your glucose levels remain stable.

   • Start exercising with short bouts and then gradually make it longer.
   • Test blood more frequently than normal to monitor glucose levels before exercise as the possibility of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia is huge when the body starts adapting to exercise.
   • Have a meal 1 to 3 hours before exercise to prevent hypoglycemia.
   • Inject insulin at least 1 hour before exercise in cases of insulin users.
   • Drink minerals or any drink that provides calories such as fruit juices every 30 minutes during exercise.
   • Drink enough water before, during and after exercise.
   • Test blood after exercise to monitor glucose levels and increase intake of calorie-providing foods for 12-24 hours after exercise.
   • Always adjust insulin dosage as blood glucose levels are lower after exercise.