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Diabetes and Hot Weather

M

mrmoley

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Braintree , Essex, U.K.
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Hi. I'm new on here (T2) and wondered if anyone has any information on how hot weather affects diabetes? I work upstairs in a factory and today temperature went up to 31 Celsius (0ver 87F). I was feeling pretty ill - groggy, lack of concentration etc.

I complained about the heat to my boss who said that there is no law in the UK regarding maximum working temperatures. He also had the cheek to tell me that diabetes is not affected by hot weather! I was told that if I refused to work in that location then I could be subject to summary dismissal.

I'd appreciate any info on above.

Thanks

Greg.
 
Hi there

I don't know how heat effects diabetes as I am a newbie too BUT I do know that the Health and Safety guidelines say that working temperatures must be 'reasonable' for all employees, which leaves a lot of scope if you ask me!

Check out this link which gives the Health and Safety guidelines;-

http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/temperature.htm

Hope you feel better soon

Jo
 
I know people cannot take the heat when they get older and I find that I cannot take heat since passing 50 years of age and have a feeling that the diabetes and blood pressure (including taking tablets for these conditions as well) are the reasons but do not know what extent diabetes has a bearing on this. It is something to look in to.
 
I used to enjoy going for a sauna and steam bath, but that's no longer possible due to diabetes. Apparently, intense perspiration can increase the risk of hypos, raise blood pressure and anyone with neuropathy is at risk of being injured due to loss of feeling.

Greg, I'd ask your doctor and/or union for advice. Threats from your employer like this seem very dubious.
 
If you are unionised, get them involved. If you are not unionised you might find this website helpful http://www.worksmart.org.uk/health/health_and_safety helpful

If you are not in a union you might find that a disability organisation would take up your case under the Disability Discrimination Act. However, I would not relish being a test case. Diabetes falls within the remit of the act, your employer has to make reasonable adjustments. I'd say a fan and a ready supply of drinking water would be the very minimum adjustment needed.

It is true there are no upper temperature limits for safe working, however, arming yourself with some inforamtion about heat exhaustion might be helpful. Also, the advice on the web page above is very sound. I'd suggest that non-diabetic employees would find 31C difficult.

Keep a diary of temperature and any conversatins you have (and witneses to them) and do stuff in writing.

Health and Safety is everyone's responsibility. However, if you talk to someone with direct responsibility for H&S in your organisation you might get a little further.
 
Hi
I am new to type 2, But the hot weather is really playing up with me! Causing me to sweat alot and feel worn out and making me feel like dozing! Dropping my blood sugars like you would not believe!
I do believe that if the temperature gets higher than 105 degrees then it is call out for everyone! And situtation i do believe that your employer threatens you about the heat is not good!
Sandy
 
Hi all, im type 1 for 39 years and didnt know or never got told that the hot weather really lowers blood sugars.No wonder when i went abroad years ago i had loads of hypos.Yesterday was boiling hot and i still had about 4 very low blood sugars 3.0 2.5 3.5 and was so weak couldnt even test one but knew it was so low i nearly (but never thank god) fainted.I was fed up having to drink my locozade etc but now i will make sure i lower my insulin when i know its going to be hot.When i asked the diabetes nurse weather hot weather lowers my blood sugars she said "oh i dont really know" :? :?
 
Hi sugary bits,
I am no meds, but i suffer from hypos when i get too hot!
My blood sugar at worst dropped down to 2.8 the other day because of the heat!
Thing is i only found out through getting too hot myself that it made a difference to blood sugars!
Hope you are feeling a bit better today!
Sandy
 
May cause dehydration which can affect your BG. Also may greatly increase the absorbtion rate of injected insulin. Probably also reduces the amount of energy you need just to keep your body temperature up.

How these and other factors balance out in *you* is probably something you'd have to check for yourself. I used to overreact quite badly to temperature changes (possibly neuropathy) but this seems to have improved with BG control.
 
i know this may sound ignorant after me having diabetes for 39 years but what are the symptoms of neuropathy and what exactly is it?thanks can anyone help with this
:| :| :|
 
I'm a T2 on minimal medication(2 x 500mg Metformim Per day) and my BG dropped to 3.8 after gardening on one of the hot days.
 
Great link Cugila,
was told I had neuropthy in my feet, but I'm not convinced. They get a bit hot, especially at night, but only occsionally-think it's hormonal.
As for the hot weather, definately affects the blood sugar. As previously stated expect lower blood sugars, spoke to a type-2 and he has same problem. Well not a problem as long as you're aware of it, makes me feel NOT like a diabetic, which is gr8! Can usually skip my short-acting insulin if it's hot and I'm cycling, brilliant. You're bs is prob going low, which is making u feel groggy and unable to concentrate.
31* sounds an extreme temperature to be working in,even for 'normal' people :) - you definately need some further advice on this issue. Sounds like ur boss is bull-sh**ing u- there are laws about working conditions. What does he know about diabetes anyway?? Prob as much as my lousy consultant- :twisted:
Best of luck
Jus
 
Maybe the heat causes our bodies to work hard to regulate core body temperature and this in turn expends energy above and beyond its 'norm', resulting in lows?

Following that logic, a similar effect would be seen in excessively cold weather, wouldnt it?

Good excuse for an ice-cream on a jolly hot day!

bunty
 
Indeed, everyone with neuropathy is at risk in hot weather. Avoid spending long periods in hot temperatures (or in the sun) is specially important if you have any numbness in the feet, as you might not realise that you're burning.

You raised an interesting question, I did write an article on neuropathy http://www.drninabailey.com/peripheral-neuropathy-in-diabetics-what-steps-can-we-take-to-avoid-it/, hope you'll find it helpful.
 
First of all i dont know how this works but with me is does.

Take a bottle of water and have a couple of sip every 10 mins, this keeps in with drinking a certain amount of water each day but also keeps my glucose numbers up to, like i said i have no idear how but it works.

Graham1441 :twisted: :twisted:
 
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