Extreme heat and humidity can affect your overall health, medication, and supplies. Here are some tips that you can share with your patients on caring for themselves during the summer months.
- Stay hydrated. When it is hot you will sweat more, sweating more can lead to dehydration and dehydration can lead to higher blood sugars. You may need to drink more than you normally do when it is hot. The best drink is water or seltzer with a touch of lemon or lime. You can also make your own homemade electrolyte drinks. Try to avoid the sugary beverages as well as caffeine and alcohol because they can be dehydrating.
- Store your medications and supplies properly. Extreme heat can cause medications to break down and not work effectively. Never leave your diabetes supplies in a hot car or in direct sunlight because the heat can degrade them. If you are traveling, pack your insulin in a cooler as long as it is not in direct contact with the ice pack. Wrap medications in a hand towel or washcloth before placing them in the cooler.
- Test your blood sugars more often. Symptoms related to excess heat or heat stroke such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, feeling lightheaded and increased sweating can also mimic symptoms of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. If you develop these symptoms you should check your blood sugar to make sure it is not due to low blood sugars.
- Know the signs of low blood sugars. If you are in the heat and feeling lightheaded, fatigue or dizzy it is time to come out of the heat and get some rest. Keep snacks on you that will help to raise your blood sugar if you find it going low.
- Exercise early or late. Depending on where you live the hottest and sunniest time of the day is between 10 am to 4 pm. Schedule your outdoor activities before or after these hours when it is not as hot. If you must exercise during these times exercise indoors or in air conditioned areas.
- Dress appropriately. Being in the sun too long can cause sunburn and it can affect your diabetes control. Always wear a brimmed hat to keep the sun out. Wear sunscreen to prevent sunburn and skin cancer. Lightweight and light colored clothing will also help keep you cool.
- Don’t go barefoot. It is important to protect your feet if you have diabetes. Find comfortable, lightweight and breathable shoes. Check your feet everyday because people with diabetes can lose sensation to certain parts of their feet. Wearing comfortable shoes that will not cause blisters or cuts to your skin is also important.
- Get out of the heat. If you find it is too hot and your blood sugar is fluctuating stay inside where it is cool!
- Pack enough medication. Pack your diabetes supplies first, for longer trips pack double the amount of supplies that you will need in case of travel delays. Don’t forget to pack your glucose monitoring supplies, syringes, glucose tablets, gels or another carbohydrate source.
- If flying, take all of your monitoring supplies and medications with you in your carry on. Separate these items from your other belongings before screening. Inform TSA that you have diabetes supplies with you.
- Keep insulin out of the heat. Insulin bottles and pens that are in use can be kept at room temperature. Unused vials or pens must be refrigerated until opened. Helpful tip: use a cold pack when traveling to keep unused bottles or pens cold during travel.
- Stay on schedule with your glucose monitoring and medications. Eating at different times of the day and being more active can cause changes in glucose levels, so check frequently. If you are traveling to a different time zone, speak with your healthcare provider or diabetes educator to help with adjusting your insulin dose.
Summer travel success starts now with preparation! Get ready now to enjoy your time when it’s time to take off. Happy summer travel!
This blog post was brought to you by Katrina Dryer, FNP, BC-ADM, CDE.