Diabetes is common, affecting more than 10% of people in the United States. Proper diabetes management is critical, and even more so in hot weather. If you have diabetes, you can take several measures to protect yourself when the heat of summer sets in.
What Is Diabetes?
With diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or none at all, or your body isn’t affected by insulin normally. This lack of insulin causes glucose to build up in your bloodstream, which causes high blood sugar levels, known as hyperglycemia. This can cause issues over time, including heart disease, nerve damage, and eye problems.
Symptoms of diabetes can vary based on the type of diabetes. Common symptoms include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Slow healing wounds
- Frequent skin infections or vaginal yeast infections
How Heat Impacts People with Diabetes
Heat impacts people with diabetes more than those without it in several ways. Some common diabetes complications, such as damage to nerves and blood vessels, can negatively affect your sweat glands, which means your body can’t cool itself effectively. This can make it easier for people with diabetes to suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Dehydration can also happen more quickly in people with diabetes. This can increase your blood sugar, which causes more urination and increase the level of dehydration even more.
Additionally, heat can affect how your body uses insulin, making it critical to check your blood sugar more often so that you can adjust your insulin intake and your diet.
How Heat Affects Diabetes Medications
Heat can affect your diabetes medications and equipment. Insulin is particularly sensitive to heat. When exposed to temperatures above recommended ranges (generally above 86°F/30°C), the protein structure of insulin can begin to break down, reducing its effectiveness. Non-insulin injectable medications, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, can also be affected by heat.
Additionally, heat can damage your equipment, including your insulin pump and blood sugar monitor. Never leave your equipment in a hot car and keep your medications in a cooler when you’re out, but do not put it directly against ice.
Storms and Losing Power
The summer heat often comes with storms that can knock out your power. This can affect your medicines that require refrigeration. Always have a plan in place to keep your medications safe.
Losing power also means that your air conditioning won’t work, so your risks of heat related issues like heat exhaustion and dehydration will increase. If your power is out for a while, try to go to a place that has air conditioning.
What to Do to Manage Your Diabetes in the Heat
You can do several things to reduce heat-related diabetes risks.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Make sure you always have a good supply of it when you’re out and about enjoying summer activities.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which can increase the risk of dehydration and increase blood sugar levels.
- Wear sunscreen and a hat outdoors. Sunburns can increase your blood sugar levels.
- Wear loose, light colored clothing to stay cooler.
- Don’t go barefoot to avoid injuries.
- Test your blood sugar often so that you can adjust your insulin and your diet when necessary.
- Keep your diabetes medicines and equipment out of the heat. If you are away from home, keep your medicines in a cooler, but not directly against ice.
- During peak heat times, stay inside where it’s air conditioned. Plan your summer activities in the morning or evening when temperatures are lower.
- Have a plan in place for when you lose power to protect both yourself and your medications.
Heat Related Complication Symptoms to Watch For
It’s important to know the warning signs of heat related complications.
- Dehydration: As dehydration sets in, you might notice persistent thirst, dry mouth, and darker urine, along with rising blood sugar levels because there’s less fluid in the bloodstream to help regulate glucose.
- Heat stress: As heat stress sets in, you may feel weak, tired, or lightheaded, especially when standing up or moving around. Headaches and muscle cramps are other common signs that your body is not handling the heat well. In some cases, nausea or a lack of appetite may also develop.
- Effects on the brain: Heat can also affect the brain and nervous system, leading to confusion, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and lack of coordination.
- Heat exhaustion/heat stroke: Warning signs include heavy sweating or hot and dry skin, a rapid pulse, dizziness, vomiting, and fainting. Heat stroke is particularly serious and may involve a high body temperature, confusion, or loss of consciousness, requiring immediate medical attention.
In Closing
The summer heat can affect people with diabetes more than the average person. Be sure to take all measures to protect yourself and reduce your risks of complications. Health Service Alliance is here to help with resources and healthcare services to help you manage your diabetes. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized, and accessible care regardless of your ability to pay. Reach out today to learn more.
