As if a diabetes diagnosis isn’t enough, it turns out that people with diabetes are extra sensitive to high temperatures. As we sweat through the middle of summer, it seems like the perfect time to really talk about this heat.
Overheating is a dangerous threat in and of itself. When you are also combatting the inherent risks of diabetes, overheating can be a serious concern.
Summer Heat Leads to Poor Decisions (kind of)
In general, most diabetics know the negative effects of heat on insulin. As a result, many will keep their insulin in cooling compartments, such as ice chests.
But a whopping 37% of diabetics completely left their medications at home, according to one study.
Instead of taking the precautionary steps to prevent any diabetes-related problems, many are avoiding their medication altogether!
The high temperatures exasperate the health problems in diabetics, so leaving medication at home could prove to be incredibly dangerous.
Luckily, there are some easy ways to protect yourself against this heat risk.
Stay Protected From the Heat This Summer
To prevent any further health issues from occurring as a result of the high temperatures, take a few precautionary steps before heading outside:
- Watch your fluid intake. Be sure to drink plenty of water (within your doctor’s recommendations) and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to hydrate yourself.
- Complete your exercise indoors or in the evening, after the sun has gone down. Don’t push yourself too hard in the heat as your body may not be able to regulate itself.
- Store your medication properly so that it serves you well when needed. Take it with you as you normally would so that you can administer it as needed.
- Learn more about your device to check your blood sugar. Heat can impact the accuracy, so be sure that you know how to take accurate readings, even in the heat.
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