Susan Sorensen

The calendar tells us that this is June, but right now we have an outside temperature of 53 degrees. So to get thinking about special precautions for dealing with diabetes in the extreme heat, let’s pretend that it is 30 degrees warmer.

 

In the May/June issue of Practical Diabetology, the topic was managing diabetes in warm climates. The three main areas that we are going to discuss are internal care (hydration/nutrition), external care (protection from sun and injury) and care of diabetes supplies (monitor/medication).

Internal care

Dehydration is very common in warmer weather. We get preoccupied, forget to drink water and suddenly don’t feel right. The reason is that we constantly are losing fluid through our breath, perspiration and urine so we must replenish that fluid and water is the No. 1 choice. Unless you have a medical indication for limited fluid intake, drink water freely and your kidneys will eliminate anything extra.

 

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is something that can catch you off guard when you lose track of mealtime and your blood sugar drops. Eating small meals on a frequent basis will help provide a continuous source of fuel for your body and prevent low glucose episodes. During hot weather, you may not have an appetite for heavy meals so try to eat small frequent meals to provide nutrition.

 

As a safeguard, I suggest that you carry individually wrapped hard candies in a pocket of every coat that you have in case you need a quick source of sugar. Chocolate is not a good choice because the fat slows down the absorption of the glucose, so leave the Snickers bars in the house!

External care

You must protect your skin and feet whether you have diabetes or not. Wear light-colored clothing made of fabric that breathes to allow perspiration to evaporate. Wear a hat to protect your face, ears and neck from the sun. Also use sunglasses that screen out ultraviolet rays. Sunscreen needs to be a part of your normal morning ritual to provide additional sun protection.

 

Foot protection often is overlooked, so make it a priority. Socks should be loose-fitting and made of cotton to absorb perspiration. Wear well-fitting shoes at all times and check your feet daily for injuries. If you have decreased sensation in your feet (neuropathy), you may not be able to feel a cut or blister, which quickly can develop into an infection. Bacteria thrive in the excess glucose in your blood, which makes it more difficult to get an infection under control.

Care of diabetes supplies

In the summer heat, proper care of glucose monitors and medication often is overlooked. Protect your glucose monitor and test strips from prolonged heat (above 104 degrees) to ensure accurate test results. Avoid leaving your diabetes equipment in your auto or in the sunlight. Additionally, all diabetes medication is temperature sensitive. Oral medications can be damaged when exposed to heat so store medication carefully. Pens and unopened vials of injectable diabetes medications should be kept in the refrigerator.

Once opened, they can be kept at room temperature for 28 days but still need to be protected from extreme heat. If you are in doubt, protect it from the heat.

 

These are just a few reminders to help you enjoy the upcoming summer season safely and help you to live healthy with diabetes. Happy Summer!

 

Susan Sorensen is a registered nurse who does diabetes education in the community and can be reached at www.starladydiabetes.com.