AboutSheri Colberg, PhD Expertise I am an exercise physiologist with a PhD who specializes in diabetes. My expertise lies in answering questions about diabetes (of any type) and physical activity. I can help you if you want to begin exercise or if you're already a diabetic athlete, and I am prepared to respond to questions about physical activity to which even your diabetologist may not know the answer. I can give suggestions about changes in your diabetic medications that differing types and intensities of exercise may necessitate, but I will have to refer you to your regular health care team to get final approval to make such changes. I can also answer questions about physical fitness, exercise metabolism, prediabetes reversal, and prevention of type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications.
Experience I have both personal and professional experience in the areas of diabetes and exercise. On a personal level, I have had type 1 diabetes since 1968, and I have been an avid exerciser since I was a child. Professionally, I have been conducting clinical studies on diabetes and exercise since 1992, largely with funding from the American Diabetes Association. I am also the author of four books related to diabetes and exercise: The Diabetic Athlete (2001, but soon coming out in a 2nd edition), Diabetes-Free Kids (2005), The 7 Step Diabetes Fitness Plan (2006), and 50 Secrets of the Longest Living People with Diabetes (2007).
Organizations I am a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, a professional member of the American Diabetes Association, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Diabetes Exercise & Sports Association.
Publications I have published research and review articles in the following journals and magazines: Diabetes Care, Diabetes, Journal of Diabetes & Its Complications, Diabetes Self-Management, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, Journal of Applied Physiology, The Physician and Sportsmedicine, Journal of Clinical Investigation, International Journal of Obesity, FASEB Journal, The Diabetes Educator, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Clinical Diabetes Reviews, Insulin, ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal, Biomechanics, On the Cutting Edge, Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, Microvascular Research, Drug Benefit Trends, ACSM Certified News, Diabetes Health, SportEX Health, Diabetes Focus, Diabetes In Control, dLife-For Your Diabetes Life, Pediatrics for Parents, and My TCOYD (Taking Control of Your Diabetes) Newsletter. I have also been interviewed in myriad other magazines, such as Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Diabetes Forecast, Countdown Magazine, Joe Weider's Muscle & Fitness, Health, Tidewater Parent, Barron's News, Diabetes New Day, and Newsweek International.
Education/Credentials I have an undergraduate degree (1985) from Stanford University, a Master's degree in exercise physiology (1987) from the University of California, Davis, and a Ph.D. (1992) from the University of California, Berkeley, in the same field. I also spent two years in an NIH-funded postdoctoral research position in endocrinology (studying obesity, diabetes, metabolism, and exercise) at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (1993-1994).
Awards and Honors • Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM) - 1996
• Old Dominion University Darden College of Education Young Investigator Grant Award – 2003
• Academic Keys Who’s Who in Education – 2003-2007
• Marquis Who’s Who in America – 2004-2007
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Old Dominion University Chapter – 2004-Present
• Great Women of the 21st Century by the American Biographical Institute – 2005 Edition
• Marquis Who’s Who of American Women – Included in 2006-2008 Editions
• Marquis Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare – Included in 6th Edition, 2006-2007
• Old Dominion University Darden College of Education Largest Research Grant Award – 2006
• Old Dominion University Darden College of Education Publications Award (for greatest number) – 2006
Past/Present Clients I have consulted for numerous groups, including the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training(about candidates with diabetes), Animas Corporation (an insulin pump company), Therasense, Inc. (makers of the Freestyle blood glucose meters), Council of Healthcare Advisors, and the City of Chesapeake (Virginia) Health Department.
Expert: Sheri Colberg, PhD Date: 4/21/2008 Subject: symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
Question I am a 36 year old Caucasian woman who is 5'2" and 185lbs. I have been diagnosed with PCOS,thyroid nodules, MVP with slight regurgitation and high blood pressure (though not very high and controlled well with medication). I have a family history of early death from heart disease (dad was 39, grandpa 41),diabetes, and MVP requiring valve replacement (mom). I am concerned with one symptom I am having pretty much everyday. When I eat--anything--I become so sleepy and so sluggish afterward that I literally have to go lie down. I have not noticed if it is worse when eating sugary foods. Is this a symptom of high blood suger/diabetes? When I have had my blood sugar tested in recent years, it has always been normal. I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia as a child and had to eat frequent meals to maintain my blood sugar. Does that predispose you to type 2 as an adult? Also, I have heard that the "numbers" that tell whether you have pre-diabetes or diabetes have changed in recent years...what are those numbers now? Thanks for your help.
Answer Christi,
The sleepiness after you eat could be related to after meal spikes in your blood glucose, but it's hard to say for sure. The rasting range for BG levels is now 100-125 mg/dl for pre-diabetes and 126 and above for diabetes. However, you can also be diagnosed from after meal spikes; they usually give you 75 grams of glucose syrup to drink and monitor your body's reaction to it. Having hypoglycemia as a child can certainly predispose you to developing type 2 diabetes later on.
You might want to see if you feel more sleepy after eating carbs or after large meals. Also, there are some lifestyle approaches to the problems you have (PCOS, etc.) that you might want to look into. I know of one group that I have done some consulting for (and recently joined their medical board) called Insulite Labs (www.insulitelabs.com). If nothing else, you might want to go to their site to read the materials they have posted on it. I also have a lot of helpful articles on my web site (www.shericolberg.com) and blog.
Good luck with it. Sheri
