As the sun beats down and temperatures climb, your diabetes can become a sweaty challenge. Here are five steps to enjoying the heat more.
1Drink plenty of water
Dehydration plays a bigger role for you with diabetes than you might think. Why? If you have drunk too little, the concentration of sugar in your blood increases. When blood sugar rises, the body tries to get rid of some of the sugar by urinating it – and takes fluid with it so that you become even more dehydrated. The vicious spiral is underway. Sweaty. So drink properly, for both your fluid level and your blood sugar.
2Check your blood sugar more often
Hot days can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate unexpectedly. In addition to dehydration causing spikes, heat can cause blood sugar to plummet.
In the heat, the body’s blood vessels dilate and insulin is absorbed more quickly, which increases the risk of hypoglycemia. Especially if you exercise, swim, or do anything else physically in the heat, as the activity itself increases blood flow. Pack extra snacks!
3Protect your stuff
Keep your diabetes gear in the shade and your insulin cool. High temperatures not only cause insulin to break down and work worse, but also affect things like blood glucose meters and test strips. So don’t leave your stuff in a hot car or on your beach towel. They’re best kept in a cool bag.
