By Liran Julia Grunhaus
August is already here and many of you are headed for your yearly getaway. Whether you are planning to lie on the beach, tour around a city or hike in the mountains, when temperatures and humidity get out of control- so can your blood sugar!
Research by the Mayo Clinic demonstrated that people with Diabetes tend to have higher rates of hospitalization and dehydration in the heat, but that many were unaware of the dangers and precautions to be taken.
Getting properly informed and taking a few small precautions can help you enjoy your holidays while keeping your blood sugar at bay.
How does Diabetes change our body’s ability to deal with heat?
Our body cools itself off by sweating. As our sweat evaporates, it cools our body off. Humidity affects our body’s “cooling off” mechanism. The more humid it is, the less our sweat is able to evaporate and cool us off. Poor glucose management and Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) may further affect our ability to sweat, making people with Diabetes very likely to overheat in hot and humid environments.
In addition, extreme temperatures put strain on our body. This stress can release hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol, which in turn cause our liver to release more glucose for energy- meaning higher levels of blood sugar, and a higher risk for hyperglycemia and dehydration.
On the other hand- our body’s metabolism is higher in hot and humid weather, resulting in an increased chance for hypoglycemia.
Extreme weather can also affect our sugar levels indirectly. When it is scorching hot outside, we are more likely to skip our normal workout. This can affect our blood sugar as well. And sunburn can also change our blood sugar levels by potentially causing inflammation and increased insulin resistance.
And to top it all off, humidity and extreme weather (both hot and cold) can affect our Diabetes-related equipment. Devices, supplies and medication need to be as close to room temperature as possible in order to function properly.
Sound daunting? It doesn’t have to be! Follow the simple tips below and easily manage your blood sugar levels while enjoying your holiday.
- Stay Hydrated. When it’s hot, make sure to drink plenty of water or sugar-free drinks. Avoid sugar-sweetened and caffeinated drinks. Don’t wait until you are thirsty- that means that you are already dehydrated!
- Protect yourself from the sun and heat. Wear sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing. Stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day if possible.
- Check your sugar levels more often: To prevent unexpected changes in your blood sugar levels, be prepared to test your blood sugar more often, especially if exercising or driving in hot weather!
- Don’t skip your workouts: Stick to your routine! It is an important part of Diabetes blood sugar control. But make sure to do your exercise either in air-conditioned areas or early/late in the day.
- Don’t disregard the signs of low blood sugar: Hypoglycemia may be harder to spot because it shares many symptoms of heat exhaustion. Pay attention to sweating, light-headedness, physical exhaustion and confusion. Keep carbohydrates on hand just in case!
- Take care of your devices, supplies and medication: Keep them as close to room temperature as possible, and never in a hot car or directly in the sun. Review the instruction manuals for your devices and medication so you know how to properly store them and what might malfunction. Bring extra supplies, including a control solution to check the accuracy of your meter. If you need to place your medication in a cooler, do not put it directly on ice.
- Consult a member of your healthcare team: If you need advice about how to adjust your insulin levels while on holiday or any other symptom you may experience which you are not sure about- speak with your doctor.
The Dario™ Personalized Smart Meter can help you monitor your glucose on the go and stay healthy while on vacation. A compact, personalized blood glucose meter, including lancet and disposable test strips, lets you test blood sugar levels in seconds. Take this pocket-sized, all-in-one device with you wherever you go, and plug it into your smartphone or tablet to see your results. Available in the UK, New Zealand and Italy (coming soon to the Netherlands and Australia).
So make sure to follow these tips and take extra good care of your general health while on holiday to make it a truly enjoyable experience! Have fun!