Diabetes and Hot Weather - Staying Safe
There are hypo and hyper risks in hot weather
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 chronic 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.
Furthermore, drinking large amounts of caffeine over a short time can raise blood glucose. When it comes to exercise, this should be undertaken earlier or later, when temperatures are cooler.
One of the major concerns regarding diabetes and hot weather is the risk of blood sugar levels rising or falling and causing hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia.
What are the hypo/hyper risks from hot weather?
Hot weather can increase the risk of hypoglycaemia, but there are plenty of precautions you can take. Hyperglycaemia can also be a problem in hot weather. People with diabetes should test more regularly in hot weather and adjust their water/food or insulin levels accordingly.
What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion is higher risk for people with diabetes. Symptoms include:
- Sweating more than usual
- Dizziness
- Cramping muscles
- C lammy 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 carrying small, refreezable ice packs, which function to keep things cool. Avoid direct sunlight.
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?
