During the summer, hot weather and high humidity can make it harder to keep your blood sugar levels under control. Extreme heat changes insulin absorption, increases the risk of dehydration, and even degrades essential medical supplies. Understanding these physiological shifts and optimizing insulin heat storage tips will help you keep your diabetes medications summer heat safe and maintain stable blood sugar levels. Here are diabetes summer tips for managing diabetes during the summer months.<\/p>\n
When it\u2019s hot outside, your body\u2019s sweat glands kick in to help you cool down. Sweating accomplishes this task, but your body also loses fluids when you sweat. You can become dehydrated if you aren\u2019t diligent enough about replacing those fluids. If you become dehydrated, blood glucose can become concentrated, causing your blood glucose levels to spike.<\/p>\n
Shriya Gandhi, MD, an endocrinologist with UI Health in Chicago, Illinois, calls it\u00a0 \u201ca vicious cycle.\u201d High blood sugar levels also make you urinate more, making your body lose even more fluids, further exacerbating dehydration, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).<\/p>\n
High temperatures affect people with Type 1 diabetes<\/a> a little differently than those with Type 2 diabetes<\/a>, according to Dr. Gandhi. The main reason? Insulin use. While all people with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin<\/a>, not everyone with Type 2 diabetes uses insulin. Insulin users are at higher risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels), which heat can worsen.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen it\u2019s really hot, your blood vessels get a little bit bigger, or dilate, to help your body cool off and release some heat,\u201d Dr. Gandhi <\/a>says. However, dilated blood vessels cause your body to absorb insulin at a faster rate, placing you at higher risk for low blood sugar, she explains. In other words, speeding up insulin absorption increases the risk of hypoglycemia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Individuals with type 1 diabetes also have an increased risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) <\/a>due to dehydration or illness,\u201d adds Disha Narang<\/a>, MD, endocrinologist and director of obesity medicine for Endeavor Health in Illinois. DKA is a life-threatening emergency caused by a severe lack of insulin, which causes the body to break down fat for energy, producing high levels of acidic substances (ketones) in the blood. Symptoms include fruity-scented breath, vomiting, and confusion and occur quickly. People with Type 1 diabetes tend to be at greater risk of DKA, but it can occur in people with Type 2 diabetes, too, according to the CDC.<\/p>\n Additionally, diabetes complications like diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, can make people with diabetes more vulnerable to heat. Damage to the blood vessels or nerves can affect your body\u2019s ability to sweat<\/a> effectively. This can make it hard to cool down, which can lead to heat-related illnesses.<\/p>\n \u201cThe key takeaway is that both groups can be affected,\u201d says Anila Bindal, MD, an endocrinologist in Chicago, Illinois, and medical director at Abbott Diabetes Care<\/a>. Monitoring glucose closely, especially with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can help you stay safe, she adds.<\/p>\n Other medications can make you more vulnerable to heat intolerance<\/a>, so consult your healthcare provider to determine if any of the medications you take can increase your sensitivity to heat-related illness. For example, some antidepressants<\/a> and high blood pressure medications<\/a> can make you more sensitive to the heat.<\/p>\n Everyone should be familiar with the early warning signs of heat-related illness<\/a> and dehydration, but people with diabetes should be especially vigilant about self-monitoring.<\/p>\nWarning signs of heat-related illness to watch for in diabetics<\/h2>\n