There are a number of major risk factors for

type 2 diabetes.
Although some diabetic risks come from our genetics,
many are preventable.

Unfortunately, many people do not know what these are or clearly understand
the signs of them. For this reason, below is a list
of top type 2 diabetes risk factors.

• Also see:
  
  the symptoms of diabetes

Obesity

Obesity is the major type 2 diabetes risk, with millions of people throughout the world facing obesity. Almost a quarter of adults in the UK are recorded as being obese.

Furthermore, the numbers continue to climb, both amongst adults and children.

The number of children being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes caused by obesity is climbing everywhere. In the UK, about one in three children are classed as obese.

• Read more on
  
  diabetes and obesity

Lack of exercise and sedentary way of life

Living a sedentary lifestyle without sufficient exercise is seriously damaging to health.

Being inactive often leads to being overweight, which can lead to pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Staying active
decreases insulin resistance and helps bodily insulin
to be more effective.

• Read more on
  
  diabetes and obesity

Eating a ‘Western’ diet

Eating unhealthily is a major cause of type 2 diabetes,
as over 90 per cent of type 2 diabetics are overweight.

A so called Western diet, with a reliance on processed foods, poor quality fats and little fibre content, is thought to be a major contributor to diabetes and

metabolic
syndrome

Eating
well, in conjunction with exercise, can prevent or reverse the development
of type 2 diabetes.

Picking a healthy diet can sometimes be confusing, with so many mixed messages, and its often not helped by so-called

diabetic food
which are not necessarily a healthier option.

High blood pressure

High cholesterol
and

blood pressure levels
are risks for many diseases, one of which is type 2 diabetes. Both are also major symptoms of

pre-diabetes

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes
is another major risk, and affects about 2 to 5 per cent of women who fall pregnant.

Those women who suffer from it face greater later-life risks of developing type 2 diabetes, as do their children.

Family history

Having a close family member with type 2 diabetes can raise your own risk of developing the condition.

Unfortunately, you cannot do much about your genetic history, but you can be ready by being aware of the

symptoms of type 2 diabetes

Also, many ethnic minorities
are more prone to suffer from diabetes.

• For more on this, please read
  
  diabetes
  and ethnicity

Aging

As the population of the world ages, diabetes rates are soaring.

Unfortunately, the older we are, the greater the risk of developing type
2 diabetes is. The pancreas, according to some scientists, begins to produce
insulin less effectively as we age.

Furthermore, bodily resistance to insulin
increases with age.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that results in

hyperglycemia
(high blood glucose levels) due to the body:

• Being ineffective at using the insulin it has produced; also known as
  
  insulin resistance
  and/or
• Being unable to produce enough insulin

Type 2 diabetes is characterised by the body being unable to metabolise glucose (a simple sugar). This leads to high levels of blood glucose which over time may damage the organs of the body.

From this, it can be understood that for someone with diabetes something that is food for ordinary people can become a sort of metabolic poison.

This is why people with diabetes are advised to avoid

sources of dietary sugar

The good news is for very many people with type 2 diabetes this is all they have to do to stay well. If you can keep your blood sugar lower by avoiding dietary sugar, likely you will never need

long-term medication

Type 2 diabetes was formerly known as non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes due to its occurrence mainly in people over 40. However, type 2 diabetes is now becoming more common in young adults, teens and children and accounts for roughly 90% of all diabetes cases worldwide.

How serious is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a serious medical condition that often requires the use of anti-diabetic medication, or

insulin
to keep blood sugar levels under control. However, the development of type 2 diabetes and its side effects (complications) can be prevented if detected and treated at an early stage.

In recent years, it has become apparent that many people with type 2 diabetes are able to

reverse diabetes
through methods including low-carb diets, very-low-calorie diets and exercise.

For guidance on healthy eating to improve blood glucose levels and weight and to fight back against insulin resistance, join the

Low Carb Program

Following

pre-diabetes
or

metabolic disorder, type 2 diabetes can potentially be avoided through

diet
and

exercise.

What causes type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the hormone insulin is not used effectively by the cells in your body. Insulin is needed for cells to take in glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream and convert it into energy.

Ineffective use of insulin results in the body becoming resistant to insulin – also known as

insulin resistance, which in turn causes blood sugar levels to rise (

hyperglycemia
).

In advanced stages, type 2 diabetes may cause damage to insulin producing cells in the pancreas, leading to insufficient insulin production for your body’s needs.

Type 2 diabetes risk factors

A number of factors can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

These include:

• 
  Being overweight or obese
• 
  Having a waist size of 31.5 inches or more (women) or more than 37 inches (men)
• 
  Eating an unhealthy diet
• 
  Physical inactivity
• 
  Having a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes
• 
  Having high blood pressure
  or raised
  
  cholesterol levels
• Being of
  
  South Asian
  and African-Caribbean descent
• 
  Smoking

The likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes is also influenced by genetics and environmental factors. For example, research shows that:

• If either parent has type 2 diabetes, the risk of inheritance of type 2 diabetes is 15%
  
  
  ^[1]
  
• If both parents have type 2 diabetes, the risk of inheritance is 75%
  
  
  ^[1]
  

Is there an age where I’m more at risk of type 2?

Type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset diabetes as it was primarily seen in middle-aged adults over the age of 40.

However, in recent years, cases of type 2 diabetes have become more common in young adults, teens and children. This increase has been

connected to climbing levels of obesity

• See our guide on
  
  diabetes risk factors
  for more information.

Do you have to be overweight to get type 2 diabetes?

While being overweight is often associated with type 2 diabetes, someone who is a healthy weight can also be diagnosed with the condition

Often called ‘skinny’ type 2 diabetes, this condition can be found in individuals with low amounts of subcutaneous fat but high amounts of visceral or abdominal fat.

What is skinny type 2 diabetes?

The diagnosis experience of people with type 2 diabetes can vary quite significantly.

Some people are given a good introduction to what type 2 diabetes is and access to well run diabetes education courses.

However, we’re aware that some people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have been given a prescription for tablets and been told to get on with it!

Our guide here provides important information as to what type 2 diabetes is and how you can get on top of the condition and start controlling it at an early stage.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a condition which develops if your body can no longer respond effectively enough to its own insulin to prevent your blood glucose levels from going too high.

The good news is that you can fight back against this and get your body to respond better to insulin.

Our

Low Carb Program
shows you how you can achieve this and, since we launched it in 2015, many thousands of people have improved their ability to control their diabetes.

Coming to terms with type 2 diabetes

Diabetes can be a tough condition to accept but the good news is that it is a condition which, with a bit of dedication, can be well controlled.

It’s fair to say that there are a good number of people with type 2 diabetes that have actually been pleased to have got a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes because it has explained why they were feeling less than well and has given them the chance to take achievable steps to feel better than they have in a long time.

The

Diabetes Forum
has thousands of posts from people with type 2 diabetes and there is no better place to find support and share your experiences.

• If you are finding the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes to be a shock, or are struggling to come to with your diagnosis, read our guide on
  
  accepting a diagnosis of diabetes

It is relatively common for people with diabetes to be also going through a period of depression.

Read more about coping with

diabetes and depression

Education to start controlling your diabetes

Knowledge is one of the best tools for managing diabetes. For this reason, there are a number of structured education courses that have been set up to help us understand and manage our diabetes.

In some cases, your GP may offer you the chance to enrol onto a structured education course whereas others may need to request their GP to enrol them onto a course. Note that availability of places on these courses may sometimes be limited depending on the level of demand and number of educators.

• Read more about
  
  structured diabetes education courses

For additional and immediate guidance, join our

Low Carb Program
which provides a step by step approach to diet that has made a huge difference to the many people that have followed the course.

Treatment for type 2 diabetes

The treatment options for type 2 diabetes can range from ‘lifestyle changes’ treatment to taking tablets or injections to help control the condition.

The type of treatment you receive can sometimes depend on how early diabetes has been diagnosed (the sooner the better) and how to resistant to insulin your body is.

It is common for your doctor to start you off on one treatment regimen and then you onto a different regimen depending on how well your blood sugar levels are responding.

Read more about treatment options for type 2 diabetes:

• 
  Lifestyle changes for type 2 diabetes
• 
  Metformin tablets
• 
  Insulin for type 2 diabetes

Diet and type 2 diabetes

Our diet is a key factor that affects our blood sugar levels and using diet changes to our advantage can be a good way of bringing type 2 diabetes under control.

If you are overweight, losing extra body weight can improve your body’s response to insulin and this helps to lower your blood sugar levels.

Read more of our diet and weight loss guides:

• 
  Type 2 diabetes and diet
• 
  Food tips
• 
  Using the plate method

Controlling type 2 diabetes

You will receive a blood test called an

HbA1c test
at regular intervals which will allow you and your doctors to review how well controlled your sugar levels are.

However, to get a detailed understanding of which factors and foods affect your blood sugar levels, and by how much,

home blood glucose testing
is a very useful tool.

See our page on

controlling type 2 diabetes
for how blood glucose testing can be used to build an understanding of your diabetes and improve blood glucose control.

Health appointments and health numbers

There are a number of health checks which people with diabetes should receive each year. These checks include:

• 
  HbA1c test
  – which measures how well controlled our blood glucose levels have been over the past few months
• 
  Blood pressure level checks
• 
  Blood cholesterol checks

For a complete list of the checks see our guide to

diabetes health checks

Key to the development of type 2 diabetes is the body’s inability to properly respond to

insulin.

Researchers from around the globe have studied data and carried out experiments to try to understand what may cause insulin resistance and

type 2 diabetes
to develop.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes

There are a number risk factors that are closely linked to type 2 diabetes, but research is yet to provide clear answers as to how much these factors may be a cause or otherwise an association.

Type 2 diabetes risk factors include:

• Carrying too much excess body fat
• 
  Having high blood pressure or cholesterol
• Having a close family member with type 2 diabetes
• Having previously had
  
  gestational diabetes
• Read more about
  
  risk factors
  for type 2 diabetes

Diet

Dietary factors are often viewed as a prominent cause of diabetes and often incorrect assumptions that it is the only factor linked to a cause are made.

Research indicates that

diet
can play a part in type 2 diabetes but it is still one factor amongst many others that can apply and generalisations should not be drawn without the consideration of other contributing factors.

Genetic

Research has uncovered a number of genes which are associated with an increased risk of diabetes. There are a number of factors which can influence our

blood sugar levels, including where we distribute fat on our body and how well our muscles take up glucose from the blood.

Our genes help to control each process in the body and a variation in just one gene which plays a part in

metabolism
can increase the risk of having difficulty with controlling blood sugar later in life. To date researchers have identified over 60 genes associated with type 2 diabetes.

• Read more about
  
  genetic research and type 2 diabetes

Medication

A number of

medications
have been linked with increased risks of type 2 diabetes. Some of these medications include the following:

• 
  Corticosteroids
• Thiazides
• Beta-blockers
• 
  Statins

It may sometimes be difficult to distinguish how much medications may raise the risk of type 2 diabetes in people that are already at risk and how much medications may have been the primary causal factor.

In cases where medication is thought to be the primary cause of diabetes, this may be termed as

drug induced diabetes

Stress

Stress
causes a response from the body to release hormones including the natural steroid hormone cortisol. The stress hormones prepare the body for action by raising

blood pressure, blood sugar levels and stiffening muscles but also temporarily suppress the immune system and the digestive process.

Persistently being stressed is referred to as chronic stress and this can have negative effects on health. Research indicates that there is a significant link between chronic stress and insulin resistance.

Pollution, chemicals and plastics

Type 2 diabetes has been one of the fastest growing conditions over the course of the last century and researchers have been looking at what other factors could be contributing to the steep rise in incidence.

In recent years, research has been published which indicates that pollution and other chemicals which we commonly face in our daily lives might increase the risks of type 2 diabetes.

Amongst the chemicals and pollutants that have been linked with diabetes are traffic pollution and a type of chemical, found in plastics and some make up products, called phthalates.

Read news on chemicals, pollutants and diabetes risk:

• Children are ‘particularly susceptible’ to air pollution which can alter the structure of their brain, study shows
• ‘Evidence is mounting’ that soil pollution can lead to cardiovascular disease
• Higher levels of air pollution can affect children’s academic skills, research shows

The primary aim of treating type 2 diabetes is to help control blood glucose levels, but another key aim is to help with weight loss or weight management.

Keeping blood sugar levels under control is important as high sugar levels have been shown to significantly increase the

risk of health problems (complications)
developing later in life.

Type 2 diabetes can be treated by a number of different methods, ranging from lifestyle adjustments to tablet medication and injections, through to bariatric (weight loss) surgery.

Lifestyle changes are advised for everyone with type 2 diabetes; your doctor will recommend treatment alongside these changes if your blood glucose levels are too high.

Your GP and health centre

Your GP is an important part of your healthcare and will be able to advise you treating your diabetes, refer you to diabetes education and lifestyle courses and medical specialists, where appropriate, and prescribe medication.

Your GP will also be responsible for monitoring your health and ensuring you undergo a number of important diabetes health checks each year. These will include your blood glucose control, blood pressure and cholesterol, amongst others.

Diet

When it comes to diet, weight loss is often a primary goal for those with type 2 diabetes. If you are overweight, losing weight can help to

improve insulin sensitivity
and make diabetes easier to manage.

To achieve

weight loss, your diet should be

low-calorie, and because type 2 diabetes is a lifetime condition, it is important to have a diet you are happy to commit and stick to.

In the modern world, many of us have become accustomed to eating energy-dense foods, such as bread, rice, pasta and potato-based foods. Whilst these high-energy foods are convenient they’re less good for those who aren’t regularly physically active.

Vegetables (not counting potatoes) are a strong choice because they provide a variety of nutrients whilst having a relatively low calorie count. Because vegetables are a great source of soluble fibre, they also help us to

stay full for longer

If you are at a healthy weight, aim to eat a balanced diet which allows you to keep your blood glucose levels under control.

The

Low Carb Program, an education program which won the

Positive Social Impact Award at the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards UK 2016, can help people with type 2 diabetes achieve better blood glucose levels, enable weight loss and reduce dependency on medication.

Physical activity

Physical activity
can be particularly effective in controlling blood glucose levels. When our muscles work they take in glucose from the blood, liver and muscles. After the exercise, the body will start replenishing its stores of glucose by steadily taking in available glucose from the blood.

As well as helping to lower blood sugar levels, exercising makes use of the energy we take in from our diet, meaning that if we exercise more and don’t increase calorie intake, we’re then in a better position to lose weight.

Other lifestyle changes

In addition to diet and physical activity, other lifestyle adjustments such as reducing intake of alcohol and quitting smoking will also help your diabetes and general health.

Blood glucose monitoring

Blood glucose monitoring can be a useful tool as it shows how diet and activity impacts on your blood sugar levels.

If you are on insulin you may need to regularly

test your blood glucose levels
to help prevent blood glucose levels from going too low.

Blood glucose monitoring is highly valued by some people with diabetes and has helped people achieve excellent control.

Medication

The main role of diabetes medication is to help lower blood glucose levels, although more recently developed medications can also aid weight loss.

Each form of medication has side effects and it is important to be aware of which side effects can occur from any medication you are taking. Known side effects will be detailed in the patient information leaflet in

every pack of medication

You may be put onto medication as soon you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or sometime after if your blood glucose levels become too high.

You can be moved onto stronger medication if your blood glucose levels remain too high, while you can also be moved onto less strong medication if your blood glucose levels improve. Whilst less common, some people may even be able to come off medication, particularly if significant weight loss is achieved.

Diabetes medication needs to be supported with diet changes and regular physical activity to keep you healthy.

Medication for type 2 diabetes includes tablets and/or injectable medication.

Tablets

There are a range of tablets available for type 2 diabetes and many of these work in different ways. For example, metformin helps the body to better respond to insulin, whereas sulphonylureas prompt the pancreas to produce more insulin.

Metformin is often the first tablet prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes and stronger-acting medication may be prescribed in addition to metformin, or in place of it, if blood glucose levels remain too high.

Injectable medication

There are now a number of different injectable medications available for treating diabetes. These fall into two main groups:

• 
  Insulin
• 
  Incretin mimetics

Insulin

Insulin is the most well-known type of injectable medication for diabetes. Insulin is the hormone which helps to move sugar out of the blood and into cells to be used as energy or to be stored as fat.

Insulin is a powerful medication for lowering blood glucose but can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels (

hypoglycemia
) if too much is taken. For this reason it is important for people to be able to recognise the symptoms of low blood sugar levels and know how to treat hypos should they occur.

Incretin mimetics

Incretin mimetics have been used for treating diabetes since 2005. Incretin mimetics are medications which mimic the action of a hormone called glucagon-like-peptide-1. This hormone plays a number of roles in response to digestion such as increasing the amount of insulin released and decreasing the amount of

glucagon
(a hormone that helps raise blood sugar) released. A group of tablet medications, known as DPP-4 inhibitors, work in a similar way to incretin mimetics.

Compared with insulin, incretin mimetics are a new medication and their long-term effects on the body are still not so well understood. Whilst incretin mimetics have been shown to be effective in reducing blood glucose levels and helping to reduce appetite, the drug has been linked with an increased risk of pancreatitis.

Weight loss surgery

Bariatric surgery, also known as

weight loss surgery, is an option that may be considered if weight gain is leading to a high risk of suffering dangerous health conditions, which may include difficulty breathing and loss of mobility.

There are significant health risks involved in surgery, and bariatric surgery is only offered to people who are very overweight and have not had success with less dangerous weight loss methods.

People with type 2 diabetes that are able to get their HbA1c below 42 mmol/mol (6%) without taking diabetes medication are said to have reversed or resolved their diabetes. This also known as putting diabetes into remission.

Loss of body weight can be particularly beneficial in helping to reverse the progression of diabetes.

With time and dedication, type 2 diabetes can be reversed and the results can be very rewarding, with less tiredness and better all-round health.

If you think you need to come off your diabetes medication, ensure you speak to your healthcare team before doing so.

Understanding how diabetes progresses

The most common cause of type 2 diabetes is obesity-related, which generally follows a vicious cycle pattern:

• Diet high in calories – particularly if high in refined carbohydrates.
• Insulin levels in the bloodstream rise to cope with the high- and quick-acting carb intake.
• Weight is gained around the belly (central or truncal obesity).
• Consistently high insulin levels lead to the body’s cells becoming resistant to insulin and commonly lead to weight gain.
• High insulin levels also increase weight gain.
• Insulin resistance leads to an increase in blood sugar levels, particularly after meals.
• The pancreas produces more insulin to cope with
  rising blood sugar levels
• High sugar levels lead to feelings of lethargy and high insulin levels lead to increased hunger.
• Hunger often leads to overeating and lethargy, with less physical activity being taken.
• Overeating, less activity and high insulin levels all lead to further weight gain and more insulin resistance.
• Consistently high demand on the pancreas to produce extra insulin leads to damage of the pancreas’ insulin-producing beta cells.
• Beta cell damage results in the body struggling to produce enough insulin, and steeper rises in blood sugar levels leads to more recognisable symptoms of diabetes, such as thirst and a frequent need to urinate

Breaking the progressive cycle of type 2 diabetes

To reverse diabetes, you need to be able to break this cycle by taking the strain off your insulin-producing cells.

Research indicates that effective ways to reverse diabetes include:

• Low-carbohydrate diets
• Very low calorie diets
• Exercise
• Bariatric surgery

Low-carbohydrate diets

Low-carbohydrate diets are known for lowering the amount of insulin the body needs to produce, resulting in less insulin resistance.[175]

A study by the Second University of Naples showed that a low-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet was able to achieve significant rates of remission in people with type 2 diabetes. After one year of following the diet, 15% of participants achieved remission and, after six years, 5% had achieved remission on the diet – a stunning achievement.

By comparison, low-fat diets were not as effective in the study. After one year, 4% of participants on a low-fat diet had achieved remission and, after six years, 0% of participants had achieved remission.

Dr David Unwin, a UK GP, has run studies that have demonstrated reversal of diabetes in a number of his patients after following a reduced-carbohydrate diet.

The Low Carb Program is a digital weight loss program that was made with Dr David Unwin that provides a 12-week programme supporting members to reduce the amount of carbohydrates in the diet. The programme has been clinically validated in 6 peer-reviewed, published studies to support weight loss, improvements in HbA1c and remission of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Low-carbohydrate diets and remission in the news:

• Low carb diet shown to reduce high blood pressure
• Man puts type 2 diabetes into remission 23 years since diagnosis
• Diabetes remission app saves NHS thousands in diabetes medication costs, latest evidence shows

Low-carb success stories from the forum:

Read other people’s success stories and see how others have managed to reverse their type 2 diabetes:

• Down from 9.9 to 6.7 in 10 weeks
• Type 2 and normal HbA1c with just diet/exercise
• Down from 23.5 to 5.9 in 8 weeks
• Latest HBA1C – stunned!
• After 9+yrs of Metformin no more meds!
• Lower carb diet and Fatty Liver Gone
• Hba1c down from 86(12.3) to 38(5.6) in 3 months diet and exercise only and the love of this forum

Very low-calorie diets

Very-low-calorie diets (VLCD) have been shown to achieve significant weight loss, reduce insulin resistance and allow people with type 2 diabetes to come off their diabetes medication.

A study was published by researchers at Newcastle University showing that an 8-week 800 kcal per day diet was able to achieve remission from diabetes in seven of the 11 participants that took part. The diet included around 600 kcal from meal shakes and around a further 200 kcal from non-starchy vegetables. [174]

The trial used MRI scans and showed that the reversal of diabetes appeared to be correlated with significant reductions in fat storage within the liver and pancreas.

Newcastle University ran a study involving 32 participants. The participants were put on a similar diet for a similar length of time and then followed a low calorie weight maintenance diet.

Initial results show that 40% of participants had achieved and maintained remission from type 2 diabetes six months after completing the diet.

A VLCD is regarded as an extreme form of diet and therefore should be undertaken with care. If you are interested in following a VLCD, it is important that you first speak with your doctor to ensure the diet is safe for you to follow.

In addition to the results seen in clinical trials, a number of anecdotal reports from patients show VLCDs to be successful at reversing diabetes to varying degrees.

Read more on the low calorie diet forum 

VLCDs and reversal of diabetes in the news:

• Low calorie liquid diet recommended as NHS obesity treatment by researchers
• Very low-calorie diet can reverse type 2 diabetes for six months
• Type 2 diabetes can be reversed by eating 600 calories a day

Low-calorie success stories from the forum:

There are many success stories in the forum:

• Reversed T2 in 3 months diet only!
• “Complete diabetic remission!”
• My hba1c today

Exercise

Commitment to exercise has allowed a number of people to successfully reverse their type 2 diabetes.

Exercise helps the body to become more sensitive to its insulin. In combination with a healthy diet, exercise can reduce the demand for insulin in the body and therefore help reverse diabetes.

There is a phrase that says ‘you can’t outrun a bad diet’ and there is a lot of truth in this. The people that have used exercise to reverse their diabetes have done so by combining exercise with healthy eating.

There have been a number of anecdotal accounts showing exercise to be linked with diabetes remission.

A study published in 2015 showed that 67% of participants were able to achieve partial remission of their type 2 diabetes having taken part in a six-month diet and exercise program. The participants in this study were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery has shown significant results in reversing type 2 diabetes, with gastric bypass surgery, leading to particularly impressive remission rates.

A study showed that, three years after gastric bypass surgery, 72% of participants with type 2 diabetes had achieved remission [176], and another study reported that 24% of participants with type 2 achieved remission six years after receiving gastric bypass surgery.[177]

Gastric bypass surgery delivers the most impressive long-term remission rates but carries a risk of complications during and following surgery. It is a permanent procedure and necessitates a change to how you eat meals.

During gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is made much smaller, and only small meals can eaten following surgery. Additionally, nutritional supplements will need to be taken for the rest of one’s life.

Is it possible to reverse type 1 diabetes?

At the moment, type 1 diabetes cannot be reversed

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, and reversing it would require a method of preventing the body’s immune system from attacking its own insulin-producing cells.

Increased heat does affect some people with diabetes, and with heatwaves becoming increasingly commonplace across the globe, it is even more vital that you know the precautions to take and signs to watch out for when keeping safe.

What problems can hot weather cause for people with diabetes?

Dehydration can be an issue in hot weather, and higher blood glucose levels can further increase this risk.

People with diabetes should increase their intake of fluids in warm conditions by drinking water regularly throughout the day, compensating for what is lost as the body attempts to cool itself down through sweating.

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 such as insulin.

The body’s metabolism is higher in hot and humid weather, leading to an increased chance of hypoglycemia as insulin absorption increases.

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 high temperatures as it could be a sign of hypoglycemia.

Find out more about spotting symptoms of a hypo here.

Take extra care if you’re driving. Test your blood sugar before and after each journey, and stop regularly to check your blood sugar during longer trips.

To prevent hypos, be prepared to test your blood glucose more often, particularly if participating in physical activity in hot weather. Keep a source of fast-acting carbohydrate at hand, such as glucose tablets or a sugary drink.

You may need to adjust your insulin levels during temperature changes. 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?

The NHS notes that people with diabetes are at higher risk for heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion occurs when your body becomes overly heated and finds difficulty in maintaining or adjusting its temperature. Being overweight or obese may also make it harder for the body to cool down.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Sweating more than usual
• Body temperature of 38°C or above
• Dizziness
• Cramping muscles
• Clammy skin
• Headaches
• Fast heartbeat and
• Nausea

By resting away from the glare of the sun and drinking more water you can avoid heat exhaustion. The symptoms you experience are the body’s signals telling you to lower your body temperature.

If you, or someone you know is suffering from heat exhaustion:

• Drink water or sports drinks to rehydrate
• Rest in a cool place – ideally with shade, fan or air conditioning
• Remove tight-fitting and/or clothing that is not required
• Expose as much skin as possible
• Cool your skin – ideally with cool water, spray, cold packs or wet sponge
• Fan your skin while wet to help your skin cool down

How can I tell the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke?

Signs of heatstroke include:

• Persistently feeling unwell after resting in a cool place and hydrating
• Not sweating even when you are feeling too hot
• Body temperature of 40°C or above
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness or lack of responsiveness

Heatstroke happens when the body can no longer regulate the heat, causing the core body temperature to elevate dangerously.

If someone is showing signs of heatstroke, call an ambulance.

What about hot weather and medicine?

The heat of summer can be a problem when carrying diabetes supplies that need to be kept cool, such as insulin.

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

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.

Going travelling?

There are several other factors you’ll need to consider if you’re going away, such as time zone differences and the effects of long-haul travel. Read more about travelling with diabetes here.

What the community is saying about diabetes and hot weather

• Insulin in the summer
• Going Abroad
• Heat and blood sugars