FROM MY PT SCHOOL NOTES · NUTRITION · UNIT 3 · CHAPTER 13
Diabetes, Eating Patterns, and Physical Activity
The final lecture combines diabetes physiology, meal-planning methods, exercise, acute complications, and coordination between food intake and glucose-lowering therapy.
What matters most
- Type 1 and type 2 differ. Type 1 generally involves autoimmune beta-cell loss and a need for insulin; type 2 commonly involves insulin resistance and variable insulin deficiency.
- Recognize possible low glucose. Sweating, shakiness, dizziness, hunger, weakness, and confusion can signal hypoglycemia—especially with insulin or certain medications.
- Know urgent hyperglycemia syndromes. DKA and hyperosmolar states are serious emergencies involving different physiologic mechanisms. Symptoms require urgent medical evaluation.
The PT connection
A patient arrives for exercise shaky and reports skipping breakfast after taking glucose lowering medication. Stop the activity, follow the site/patient hypoglycemia protocol, check glucose if appropriate and available, and seek urgent help when clinically indicated.
Current-practice perspective
The class lecture includes older insulin charts and absolute claims about “reversing diabetes.” For current care, ADA 2026 emphasizes individualized medical nutrition therapy and coordination around activity and hypoglycemia.
From my original course material: 14 Nutrition Diabetes.pdf (pp. 2–18, 23–33, 34–46, 50–52). These are personal PT-school class notes adapted for education. Historical claims require current source verification. Not individualized nutrition advice or a substitute for a registered dietitian or prescribing team.
