OverSixty April 2023 Digital

OVERSIXTY.COM.AU | ISSUE 4 | APRIL 2023 11 LIVEWELL Each time you visit the pool, add gradually to your swimming distance, resting as needed until you reach 30minutes of total swim time each session. To steadily improve your aero- bic !tness, swim three times a week. If your sight is impaired, swim during “lap time”, during which swim lanes are roped o$ and recreational swimmers are prohibited. Swimming when you have an open wound isn’t a good idea because it increases your risk of infection. Rather than skipping your aqua-workout when you have a cut or sore, ask your doctor whether a waterproof band- age or another skin barrier is appropriate for your situation. Be sure to clear the bandage with the pool’s manager before you jump in. It may be harder when you’re in a pool to tell if you’re sweating or feeling weak so be vigilant, and get out of the pool if you can as soon as you suspect a problem. Keep a high-carbohydrate snack in a zip- lock plastic bag poolside while you swim, so it’s close at hand if need be. If you’re at the beach or an outdoor pool and want to disconnect your insulin pump and swim, keep the pump cool so the insulin doesn’t deteriorate. Place the insulin pump in a zip-lock plastic bag, wrap a small towel around it, and place it in a cooler. Alterna- tively, check with your pump’s manufacturer Swimming tips for people with diabetes PRISCILLA TORRES LIVE WELL I f you’re overweight, have joint or balance problems, foot pain from nerve damage, or other physical limitations – all common among people who have diabetes – the swimming pool is a great place to get active. Since your weight is “reduced” by 90 per cent in the water, swimming gives overweight people the buoyancy they need to keep their aerobic sessions going longer andmove their bodies in ways they might not be able to do otherwise. Swimming is excellent aerobic exercise with an added bene!t over walking: it exercises both the upper and lower body. A water aerobics class may be the best way to get a full-body workout in the pool – and you don’t even need to know how to swim. If you need even more buoyancy, a kick- board will help. "ey’re handy if you’re not con!dent of your swimming ability and want extra help in staying a%oat. People who just want to exercise their legs can grab a kick- board by its sides and propel themselves through the water with leg power. Swim one pool length (25 metres in a standard pool), and then rest for 30 seconds. If that didn’t challenge you, alternate swim- ming for 5 minutes and resting for 1 minute. to see if it o$ers a special protective, water- proof pouch for your model. Some insulin pumps are advertised as be- ing “waterproof” (sometimes with the use of inserts to plug the vent holes), but read the instructions carefully about the limits of this protection. "e waterproo!ng may only ap- ply to near-the-surface use. If you !nd that the tape on your infusion set keeps coming loose in the water, pick up a very lightweight wet suit T-shirt and wear that over the infu- sion set. "e close-!tting shirt will prevent water from peeling up the edges of the tape. Also, be sure to rinse well after visiting a chlorinated pool. Otherwise, the chlorine from the pool water will dry out your skin and might cause it to crack, which will make you more vulnerable to infection. People with diabetes are prone to slower healing, and serious infections in the feet can even lead to amputation. Wearing water shoes or aqua socks when swimming in a lake or ocean will help prevent injuries from rocks, sea life, or other debris. Wearing pro- tection in man-made swimming areas isn’t a bad idea either; some pools are abrasive. "e water may feel cool against your skin, but you can still get sunburnt, even on overcast days. Sunburn is particularly vexing for people with diabetes because it can take longer to heal and, if it’s bad, could possibly raise your blood sugar, so take precautions. LIVE WELL Swimming is a great form of exercise for people with diabetes, but some safety measures are crucial Photo: Getty Images Enjoy the bene!ts of swimming while staying safe