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.
Question Hello, I am 27 years old and recently my mother was diagnosed with diabetes(my grandmother has it and 3 out of 5 of her sisters all have diabetes) my father passed away and I dont know his family history.(I never met them) My mother on the other hand has 24 diffrent diagnosis. I do not have a good family history. I have not seen a doctor since september of 2006 when I had my second child. I have a hard time finding a doctor that I am comfortable with. I have several problems that I live with every day but my most recent would be that my feet burn on the sides or just the toes or the heels ect. I am always hot! my ac is set to 72 and I sweat at that, I am overweight, I have dizzy spells a lot, the one thing I hate is after a dizzy spell I see white dots.(they look like the snow when your driving at night) My mom thinks I am diabetic but like I said she has 24 diffrent problems and everytime she is diagnosed with so am I by her. So I guess my question is are those diabetic signs and symptoms or is she just being a (over)concerned parent?
Answer Karen,
I would guess that you don't have diabetes, but you may have hypoglycemia, which is considered a precursor to getting diabetes later on. Visual changes are common with diabetes, but usually the symptoms of high blood sugars are blurred vision, not white dots. The dots and dizziness could be symptoms of low blood sugar. Have you noticed that they occur at particular times, such as after eating, after you drink a sugary drink, or if you go a long time without eating? The foot problems you're describing could be caused by a lot of different things, but diabetes can affect your feet (although it's usually only you've had it for 10 years or more).
What you might want to do is start documenting what you did/ate when you have dizzy spells, sweating, foot pain, etc., and see if you can find any commonalities. If you find that sugary drinks give you symptoms, then you know to cut back on them or to cut them out of your diet---the same with other foods and activities. You might also want to use your mother's blood glucose meter to test your blood sugar when you have any symptoms. It should normally be between 70 and 99 first thing in the morning, and no higher than 140 an hour after eating to be perfectly normal.
Hope this helps. Sheri
