Summer is a beautiful time of year, but it is dangerous for people with diabetes. On hot days, your body loses water very quickly, even if you overheat a little. This can lead to high blood sugar levels, dehydration, and heat stroke.
At the same time, you can't rule out the opposite problem: a sharp drop in blood sugar. Appetite decreases in hot weather, which can cause a person with diabetes to skip meals or eat much less. This can cause a hypoglycemic reaction, especially when treated with insulin.
Since diabetes may require more control than usual in the hot season, I suggest you consider the following tips for a safe summer:
1. Watch out for dehydration!
Drink plenty of fluids at regular intervals throughout the day. In hot weather, it is better for diabetics to drink water in small sips, but do it almost constantly, several times an hour. On hot days, it is recommended to drink two to three liters of fluid during the day. This is especially important for diabetics taking SGLT-2 inhibitors, diuretics. My advice: always be sure to have a bottle of drinking water with you. If you tend to forget to drink water, install an app on your phone that will remind you of it. To be on the safe side, ask your doctor in advance which rehydration fluids you can use in case you are dehydrated.
2. Take care of your feet!
The feet are one of the most vulnerable places in patients with diabetes.
Therefore, they require special attention to protect them from abrasions, wounds, blisters and fungal infections. They should be washed and treated every day.
Under no circumstances walk barefoot. I recommend wearing soft slippers even at the beach and while swimming. Be sure to check your feet at the end of the day and see a doctor immediately if you have cuts or burns.
3. Pay attention to what you eat and drink!
Stick to the meal pattern set out in your diabetes treatment plan. Eat on time. Take food with you so you can eat outside the home. Eliminate smoked and fried foods from your diet, try to replace meat products with fish, and use fresh vegetables.
It is best to drink mineral water. It is an ideal drink for diabetics. But you can also consume a variety of drinks made with fructose. However, do not forget that you should not get addicted to them. After all, all sugar substitutes should be in limited quantities.
Do not consume alcohol and drinks containing caffeine – they lead to dehydration.
4. Check your glucose level more frequently!
Monitor your glucose levels more carefully than usual because they can change due to heat and fluctuating dietary patterns.
Test your blood glucose at least 5 times a day; monitor your glucose every 1-2 hours during a long trip or if you are more active than usual.
5. Protect your devices and medications from the sun!
Remember that high temperatures can affect your devices and medications. All supplies should be stored in tightly closed containers to avoid direct sunlight.
Insulin is a capricious hormone. It does not like high temperatures. In heat (above 30 degrees), the drug loses its effectiveness, becoming "like water". Such insulin will not poison you, but it may well lead to hyperglycemia with symptoms of ketoacidosis (especially if you are on the pump)!
Use special cases to protect insulin from high temperature, but do not put insulin directly on ice – it loses effectiveness when frozen.
6. Don't be tempted to ignore the symptoms of hypoglycemia!
In summer, symptoms such as sweating and fatigue may be dismissed as just a consequence of the hot weather, when in fact they may be a sign of hypoglycemia.
Frequent hypoglycemia is a constant companion of a person with diabetes.
Therefore, try to always carry a written indication that you have diabetes; if you are traveling alone, stay in touch and let relatives know your itinerary.
Be very careful when driving and check your blood sugar levels before and after each car trip. Also, take regular breaks and stop your car at parking lots or gas stations to check your blood sugar levels, especially if you are going to travel long distances.
Keep a source of carbohydrates on hand to take when needed, such as glucose tablets.
When planning summer vacations and outdoor recreation, consult with your doctor beforehand to learn how to avoid dehydration and stay safe.
Knowing about the health effects of the heat and the need to adjust your diabetes therapy accordingly will help you make choices in advance that will keep you healthy so you can enjoy the summer.