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Diabetes and Hot Weather - Staying Safe in the Heat

There are hypo and hyper risks in hot weather
There are hypo and hyper risks in hot weather
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Whether you are going on holiday or simply spending some time outdoors in the heat, high temperatures and the close humidity currently sweeping the UK do have an influence for people with long term conditions such as diabetes.

This may partly be explained by increased activity in hot weather, but there is no doubt that the heat does affect some people with diabetes in other ways.

What problems can hot weather cause for people with diabetes?

Dehydration is a major issue in hot weather, and higher blood glucose levels can further increase this risk.

People with diabetes need to increase their intake of fluids in hot weather, drinking regularly during the day and focusing on drinking water.

One of the major concerns regarding diabetes and hot weather is the risk of blood sugar levels rising or falling and causing hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

What are the hypo risks from hot weather?

Hot weather can increase the risk of hypoglycemia for those on blood glucose lowering medication.

The Joslin Diabetes Centre notes that the body’s metabolism is higher in hot and humid weather which can lead to an increased chance of hypoglycemia.

Hypos may be slightly harder to spot in hot weather.

Don’t be tempted to disregard hypo symptoms, such as sweating and tiredness, as a result of hot weather as it could be a sign of hypoglycemia.

Take extra care when driving and test your blood sugar before and after each journey and stop regularly to check your blood sugar if taking longer journeys.

To prevent hypos, be prepared to test your blood glucose more often, particularly if taking part in physical activity in hot weather.

Keep a source of fasting carbohydrate, such as glucose tablets, to hand.

To help treat hypos, buy glucose products from the Diabetes Shop.

You may need to adjust your insulin levels during changes in temperature. If you are experiencing higher or lower blood sugar levels and need advice about adjusting your insulin levels, speak with a member of your healthcare team.

What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion is higher risk for people with diabetes.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • Sweating more than usual
  • Dizziness
  • Cramping muscles
  • Clammy skin
  • Headaches
  • Fast heartbeat and
  • Nausea.

By resting and drinking more water you can avoid heat stroke, which is considered a medical emergency. 

What about hot weather and medicine?

When carrying diabetes supplies which need to be kept cool, such as insulin, the heat of summer can be a problem.

Get around this by keeping your medication away from direct sunlight and carrying cooling packs, which keep medication cool.

Blood testing in hot weather

Test strips are sensitive to temperature as well. Test your blood sugar in a cool, shaded place and keep your test strips away from direct sunlight as well.

With good preparation, there is no reason why hot weather can’t be a real pleasure!

What the community are saying about diabetes and hot weather

  • Stuartclose: Well, it's happening again, as soon as the weather gets hot my blood sugar goes sky high. Normally my range is between 5.5 - 7.0, nowadays with the temperatures soaring I have been hitting 12-14, my consultant says I'm intolerant to heat - does anyone else have these symptoms?
  • Cugila: Hot weather and lack of food can be one of the causes of a hypo in anybody, your body is using up the stored glucose in your body which then gives out warning signals that you are getting too low. When you feel odd that is your body telling you in effect... I need some food, some fuel as my tank is running low.
  • Leather_Ferret: I'm on Lantus (35 units/day) and Novorapid 30 - 40 units depending on food intake. For a couple of weeks of hot weather, I was struggling to keep readings down to 8 or 9 however much insulin I threw at it, whereas normally I can average about 6 over the day. After a bit of thought, I binned the current pens and started fresh ones out of the fridge, and now store the pens I am using in the fridge too. Instant result - situation normal again. Anyone else been having problems in the hot weather?
  • Phoenix: I use far less insulin in the heat and have to use temp basals (-50% ) for even short walks and I suspended my pump this afternoon whilst gardening in 30+C and was still below 4 mmol/l for dinner. I think it's more common than to use less.
  • SophiaW: I haven't really noticed much difference with Jess. She did have a series of hypos a few weeks back during that first spell of warmer weather but it all seems to have settled itself now. It might be that the children are more active in the playground now with the warmer weather?
Your Comments
 
I have been on insulin 45 years and blood sugar levels tested 3 times a day. I have been between 5 and 9, but since the hot weather, they have been going up to between 16 to 21 and I was eating the same amounts of food. I tried changing insulin bottles, new strips for meter, but it only got better when weather was cooler today. My last 3 hbA1c results over 18 months were 7.3, 6.9 & 7.5
Posted by peter curtis, Teesside on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
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Reading the comments that hot weather causes BG levels to rise may be just the excuse I need - what can I do - it is always 30+ here?
Posted by BaliRob, Indonesia on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
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Hi, I have been a diabetic for the past 3 years (T2). When I was told I had it, I was just given a load of leaflets and told to get on with it. My BGL is usually 15.6 upwards! One nurse tells me to test every day yet another tells me once or twice a week and then I get another that tells me not to test at all (because the test strips cost the NHS too much money). I really don't know what to do for the best. I mean I am nearly 53, what am I meant to do for the best, and I am on every tablet they can give me (I rattle as I walk lol).
Posted by martin faulkner, Torquay on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
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In hot weather it is natural to want to eat less. The body works harder to keep cool. Therefore, insulin should be reduced if you are not eating so much. Do not do injections in the legs and then sit in the sun because it will be absorbed much quicker. Hot weather makes my feet puff up and at this time of the year when changing to summer shoes I have to make sure I do not get blisters. So I am changing into different types of shoes several times a day. Once my skin hardens up again, I will be OK.
Posted by janet, Burgess Hill on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
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I was diagnosed with type 2 on diet only (they said borderline) around Sept/Oct last year. I bought myself a machine even though the diabetic team at my surgery say I don't need it but find it better for my own peace of mind usually. Only test around once a week normally. A week ago I found my fasting bloods were 9.9. I'm normally no higher than 7.6. Often much lower (5.1 my lowest). I finished a 5 day course of steroids the previous friday (I have asthma, COPD and hayfever). there had been drainage work carried out on the communal grassed area behind my bungalow last year and it had been left 'til this year to be seeded with new grass but we got a load of oilseed rape growing on the land. My breathing was bad for 3 weeks. Anyway I put the higher levels and the swollen feet I'm getting (both started on the monday, 3 days after finishing the steroiods) down to after effects of the steroids but my bloods rose more 2 days later to 10.6. Daily fasting bloods have been in the region of 8.3-8.7 since. my diabetic nurse and dietician thought I was eating too much fruit. I don't usually eat much but have been trying to find ways of using berries as I seem to tolerate them better than most other fruit. Can't have citrus due to reflux. But after my daughter told me the heat can cause probs like this, then reading all your comments on here, it has to be the heat. So thank you. You learn new things everyday. I'm elderly and don't get daily exercise as have to wait 'til someone can go with me or takes me out due to disabilities... so yet another prob that doesnt help.
Posted by D.ross, Yorkshire, England on Monday, May 28, 2012
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In reply to Andrew. Have you checked out attending a DAFE course(dose adjustment for normal eating)This course is fantastic for people who want to eat like a normal person. No food is disallowed and you can eat whatever you like whenever you like! so if you want a big chocolate bar you can have a big chocolate var!! You just need to earn how to deal with eating it!!! I've never looked back since I did the course!
Posted by Jaynie, Hertfordshire on Thursday, May 24, 2012
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I am a Brit retired living in the Philippines. I don't like cold weather. I was diagnosed as T2 here about 18 months ago. I am om metformin slow release 750 mg per day and Sitagliptin 50 mg once a day. I buy my own test strips, as I care about my glucose levels then the cost of the strips. However I can maintain my FBS below 6, and other figues below 7. However it is worth considering, the temperature is normally between 28-32 all year round. So there is no sudden changes.
Posted by Alan Fell, Philippines on Thursday, March 29, 2012
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Been on insulin 40 years just had pump at 75 is anybody older than me on a pump?
Posted by gordon parr, staffs on Tuesday, March 27, 2012
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Due to the affects of hot weather eg: meters not functioning over set temps and insulin not liking hot temps I have avoided working in hot countries which has been very restricting to me, has anybody any idea how people with diabeties cope in hot countries? You do not always have access to fridges/ice packs when working outdoors.
Posted by johnl on Thursday, October 20, 2011
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When the weather's warm and humid I seem to start hypoing quite regularly. After reading comments on this website I will try reducing my insulin a bit when it's really hot. Also I find it so hard NOT to eat sweet food as I have a sweet tooth which makes it harder to keep my sugar levels consistent. Does anyone else have the same problems? would be great to hear any comments from diabetics experiencing the same things. Sometimes I feel like I am not winning with the diabetes control and I get down and depressed about it.
Posted by Andrew Stanford, Greenwich London on Wednesday, August 17, 2011
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I have been a diabetic for ten years now and the heat this year has made me really unwell. My blood sugar has never wavered from between 7-8 but this weather has made it rise to 12-14. I test at the beginning of each meal and then two hours after not every day though. Hope the weather cools down soon.
Posted by margaret riley (mrs), west midlands on Friday, August 05, 2011
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I am very confused. Everybody talks about testing blood/glucose but when at my diabetic clinic I asked to be shown how to use the 'machine' I had bought I was told that they did not recommend a person did it themself because it would fluctuate and make them worry and that would change the reading. I don't know what to do for the best.
Posted by Ann Williams, E. Sussex on Thursday, August 04, 2011
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I got diagnosed with type 2 about 8 months ago and I have noticed a difference in my blood sugar readings now that the hot weather has started. My blood sugars been higher than usual (I average about a 6-6.5 most days) but since the weather's gotten warmer my readings hav been in the 7-12 range (unless I exercise, then it goes as low as 5.5). I usually wait 'til the evening to go for my 45 min daily walk. At first I thought the high readings was because I completely overindulged on xmas day but I spent today eating mainly protein/fibre rich foods (meat, milk, fruit, vegetables) and my blood sugars still in the high 7 area 1hr after eating). I just got myself off the medication (Metformin) about a month ago and don't want to restart taking them but before I do that I'll drink more water (I have had a few headaches) so maybe I'm just dehydrated, that and I'll have to cut out junk food to twice a week, like I was doing at the beginning. I've got a lot to learn. The difficult thing is to pay attention to your blood sugar patterns. It's different when you're sick, when you're menstruating, and in hot and cold weather. I got diagnosed in the autumn, so don't know yet how it works in the heat but high blood sugar seems to be a pattern for me (we spent 2 months overseas, it was still hot there and those were my typical readings there too). I always have to remember that my life's different to what it was before.
Posted by Irene, Australia on Thursday, December 30, 2010
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The hot weather results in me having more hypos so I don't use as much insulin as normal. I have been using insulin about seven months now and I am either too high or too low. I can't seem to regulate it but even ironing causes me to go too low.
Posted by bern, belfast on Wednesday, July 28, 2010
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I have to reduce my Levermir if I'm out in the sun, active or resting, as I hypo too. I usually end up reducing my Novorapid with some meals as well. I've also thrown insulin away if blood sugars are being unusually difficult to control (too high), and found a new pen from the fridge - sorts things out!
Posted by CherylMc, Yorkshire on Monday, July 26, 2010
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we have just come back from spain and it was 35 degrees and not much cooler at night, i just found my 3 year old son could have more sweet things and ice creams without putting anything in his pump.
Posted by adele ward, macclesfield on Thursday, July 22, 2010
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i always find my blood sugars go up when i am away on holiday- thought it was more to do with drinking a bit more alcohol and not judging my carbs v well have also had some bad hypos in the heat so not sure as to the effects!
Posted by lindao on Thursday, July 22, 2010
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My son Eithan who is 8 has higher levels in the hot weather, and especially with the warm nights, we have to have a fan in his room on the go all night just to keep him cool. His levels have gone as high as 20 in the hot weather we seem to be increasing the insulin on the hot days and reducing the insulin when the weather cools down. Does any one else with children have problems with higher levels?
Posted by tracyw, Margate on Thursday, July 22, 2010
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For the second time this summer, my blood sugar levels fell so low, i was slurring my words and felt weak,sick and so very tired. As im new to being diagnosed i didnt really know what to do, but went onto this website and got the info. i had a glucose tablet and some really sweet drink,then started to feel better after about half hour.
Posted by tina, surrey on Thursday, July 22, 2010
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just spent a month in Malta with temp's around 35C.I ended up in hospital on a drip & pain killers for a severe headache that lasted for 3 day's.Also bad nausea couldent even keep water down. type 2 was on insulin now tablets only
Posted by K.M.Adamson, Portsmouth on Thursday, July 22, 2010
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I find it interesting that hyperglycemia is a problem in hot weather whereas it seems to be a problem in cold weather here in South Africa. My "newly" diagnosed daugther's blood glucose levels has been sky high most of the winter (our first winter experience since diagnosis). She was diagnosed at the start of our last summer (October 2009). She suffers from hypos during summer and her insulin requirements are significantly less when she is active.
Posted by E's mom, South Africa on Thursday, July 22, 2010
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