What Teachers and Coaches Should Know Diabetes affects how the body uses glucose, the main type of sugar in the blood. Glucose — an important source of energy for the body's cells — comes from the foods we eat. Glucose is carried to the cells through the bloodstream. Several hormones, including insulin, control glucose levels in the blood. When a person has diabetes, the body either can't make or can't respond to insulin properly. Exercise makes insulin work better in the body, which helps people with diabetes keep their blood sugar levels in a healthier range. But when kids with diabetes exercise, they can experience low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia, or high blood sugar, called hyperglycemia. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) can happen during or after exercise, when the body has used up much of its stored sugar, especially if insulin levels in the body are still high after an insulin injection. Signs of hypoglycemia include extreme hunger, tremors, rapid heart rate, cold sweat, pale-gray skin color, headache, moodiness or irritability, drowsiness or dizziness, blurred or double vision, confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) can happen during sports and exercise because the muscles need more energy and the body responds by releasing extra glucose into the bloodstream. If the body doesn't have enough insulin to use the glucose, then the sugar will stay in the blood, which can cause increased urination and dehydration. Other signs of hyperglycemia include excessive thirst, fatigue, weakness, and blurry vision. Students with diabetes who play sports may: need to monitor blood sugar levels several times a day, as well as before and after playing sports or practicing take insulin injections or wear an insulin pump experience signs of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia need to use the bathroom frequently need plenty of water and extra snacks before, during, and after exercise need to sit out of practice or games if their blood sugar is too low or too high What Teachers and Coaches Can Do Students with diabetes can play sports and exercise at the same level as anyone else. And just like most kids and teens, students with diabetes are healthier if they get plenty of exercise, which can help them manage the disease. You may need to remind students with diabetes to check their blood sugar levels before, during, and after exercise, practice, and games. Also, make sure that: you and your student know the symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia you keep extra snacks, juices, and emergency supplies in the classroom and on the playing field in case your student starts to have symptoms of hypoglycemia your student with diabetes has a diabetes management plan you know how to respond, in accordance with the plan, in case of an emergency Students with diabetes may miss class time, practices, or games due to doctor visits or hospital stays. Teachers and coaches should give them special consideration regarding missed instruction, assignments, testing, and sports. Back to Articles Related Articles Diabetes Center Our Diabetes Center provides information and advice for teens about treating and living with diabetes. Read More Diabetes Center Does your child have type 1 or type 2 diabetes? Learn how to manage the disease and keep your child healthy. Read More Diabetes Center Diabetes means a problem with insulin, an important hormone in the body. Find out how children with diabetes can stay healthy and do the normal stuff kids like to do. Read More Sports Center This site has tips on things like preparing for a new season, handling sports pressure, staying motivated, and dealing with injuries. Read More Sports Medicine Center Get tips on everything from finding the best sport for your kids to preventing and handling injuries. Read More Nutrition & Fitness Center Visit our nutrition and fitness center for teens to get information and advice on food, exercise, and sports. Read More Nutrition & Fitness Center Want to know more about eating right and being active? This is the place! Read More Nutrition & Fitness Center You know the importance of exercising and eating nutritious foods, but do you know how to raise a healthy and active child? Get practical advice and tips. Read More Diabetes Control: Why It's Important People who have diabetes may hear or read a lot about controlling, or managing, the condition. But what is diabetes control and why is it so important? Read More Diabetes Control: Why It's Important You've probably heard your child's doctor talk a lot about diabetes control. What is it and why is it important? Read More Keeping Track of Your Blood Sugar To keep your diabetes under control, stay healthy, and prevent future problems, you need to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range. To do that, check and track those levels regularly. Read More Keeping Track of Your Blood Sugar Checking your blood sugar levels is a really important part of managing diabetes. Knowing those levels will help you keep your blood sugar under control - and that helps you feel good and keeps you healthy. Read More When Blood Sugar Is Too High For people with diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels is important. Having a blood sugar level that's too high can make you feel lousy, and having high blood sugar levels a lot can be unhealthy. Read More When Blood Sugar Is Too High Too much glucose in the blood can be unhealthy. Learn more about what to do when blood sugar is too high in this article for kids. Read More When Blood Sugar Is Too Low Hypoglycemia is the medical word for low blood sugar level. It needs to be treated right away. Learn more about what to do when blood sugar is too low in this article for kids. Read More When Blood Sugar Is Too Low When blood glucose levels drop too low, it's called hypoglycemia. Very low blood sugar levels can cause severe symptoms that need to be treated right away. Read More Monitoring Blood Sugar To keep blood sugar levels under control, you have to check them regularly. Learn about checking and recording your child's blood sugar levels. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. 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