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 QUESTION: I got checked for Diabetes 4 Months ago (January) Everything came back normal. Sunday after drinking 3 small bottles of Mountain Dew, I noticed i had to go pee more often.
Monday, it persisted and on Monday Night, I had to go and after I went I have this pain at the tip of my penis and felt like I had to go again.
Tuesday, Im experiencing as what I can be described as throbbing aches in my hand, forearm, feet, and legs.
Im thinking I have Urinary Tract Infection but the tingling worries me.
What's more is I have no insurance and I want to make sure I have Diabetes before spending money to get a blood test.
Please help.
ANSWER: Steven,
I really can't diagnose you over the Internet, particularly with not knowing any more about you than what you wrote and because I am not a medical doctor. There are certain things that increase risk for diabetes, such as being older, abdominal obesity, family history of diabetes, unhealthy diet, inactive lifestyle, etc. For starters, just lay off the Mountain Dew. It's full of sugar (and NO ONE needs that) and caffeine. You may have a urinary tract infection, but I can't say that for certain either. Lots of things can cause the tingling you're describing. If you were tested for diabetes in January and did not have it, it's unlikely that you have it now or that your symptoms are related to diabetes. Cut back on the sodas and your sugar and refined carb intake and see if that helps. Drinking lots of sugar can cause spillover into your urine, and bacteria love sugar. So, that could be contributing to your development of urinary problems as well. Sheri
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QUESTION: Well, I guess I will give it 7 to 10 days to see if it feels better. If not, Im not sure what to do as I dont have insurance. I guess they will pay to have me checked out.
Im worried if I do have Diabetes, how long do I have before I begin to suffer from it like Blindness, etc?
Answer Steven,
The development of complications related to diabetes depends largely on how well your blood sugars are controlled. Drinking Mtn. Dew is not a good way to control them; neither is eating a lot of refined carbs. Just moderate your intake of these items and start to do some regular exercise, and you will likely prevent a lot of health problems, not just diabetes-related ones. Sheri
