How Do Heat and Humidity Affect Diabetes?

Diabetic? You might find it harder to keep your sugar levels under control, and you could be at higher risk of developing heat exhaustion.

When the weather warms up, it's essential to closely monitor your sugar levels and watch for possible symptoms that your body isn't used to dealing with the heat effectively.

How Does Heat Affect Diabetics?

Not only can hot weather make you feel tired and sluggish, but it can also have several negative impacts on how diabetes affects the body. Diabetics tend to dehydrate faster than those without diabetes. Signs of mild to moderate dehydration may include:

• Fatigue
• Decreased urination
• Increased thirst
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Dry mouth and dry eyes

And as dehydration becomes more severe:

• Excessive thirst
• Dark-colored urine
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate

Dehydration can cause blood glucose levels to rise. This may result in a more frequent need to urinate, worsening the problem. Some people even notice a decrease in sweat production.

Furthermore, diabetics are much more susceptible to heat exhaustion because diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves, including the nerves in the sweat glands, making it difficult to cool the body efficiently during hot weather.

Additionally, high temperatures can alter how your body uses insulin. Generally, physical activity reduces the need for insulin, but hot weather may interfere with insulin action, increasing the risk for both high and low sugar levels.

It's important to consult your healthcare provider to adjust your insulin dosage if necessary, taking into account your activity level relative to the heat level.

The Challenge of Summer Humidity

In our hot country, temperatures are not just high but hot and humid simultaneously. The additional humidity in the air can make the heat feel more intense.

The challenge for diabetics is that in the presence of humidity, sweat does not evaporate as quickly as in drier conditions. This makes it difficult to keep the body cool, making it challenging to keep blood glucose levels under control.

What to Do About Hot Weather and Diabetes

Careful management of diabetes is the best way to stay updated on your condition. Here are some tips to help you do so and stay safe in this summer heat:

1. Drink Plenty of Water - Avoiding dehydration is critical, so ensure you maintain your fluid intake. Skip sugary drinks.
2. Dress for the Weather - This means light and loose-fitting clothing to help maintain body coolness, especially if you plan to spend time outdoors.
3. Avoid Alcoholic Beverages - Alcohol has a diuretic effect, leading to more frequent urination and fluid loss.
4. Check Blood Sugar Levels Frequently - Including before and after physical activities, which affect blood sugar levels irrespective of weather. Hot weather can cause blood glucose levels to fluctuate more than you might realize. Continuous glucose monitoring without pricks is recommended.
5. Stay in the Shade as Much as Possible - The heat index can be higher in direct sunlight, so opt to stay in the shade whenever possible.
6. Exercise Indoors or in Air-Conditioned Spaces - This will make you less vulnerable to heat and humidity. If you love outdoor workouts, do it early in the morning when it's cooler.
7. Know Your Medications - Read all the instructions for your medications carefully to be aware of any heat-related warnings.
8. Be Prepared – Keep urine ketone test strips handy if you have type 1 diabetes and use insulin, as you may be at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis.

How to Keep Medications Safe in Extreme Heat

The heat not only stresses your body but can also affect your diabetes medications and supplies. They are vulnerable to hot summer weather. Here are some tips for caring for your diabetes medications and equipment:

5. Don't leave your insulin pump, glucose meter, or other equipment in the car or even outside in the heat and direct sunlight.
5. Store test strips and other materials in a cool place. A good rule of thumb: keep them with your other equipment, away from the sun and heat.
5. Keep your insulin in a cooler if traveling, but don't lay ice packs directly on it.
5. Use a reusable cover that protects insulin from heat and maintains temperature through the use of insulating material.

Symptoms to Watch For

Diabetics must be aware as early as possible of the potential development of symptoms related to heat exhaustion, which can lead to hypoglycemia (low sugar levels) and hyperglycemia (high sugar levels). If you experience symptoms, seek medical attention.

Heat Exhaustion

The body can overheat in response to hot weather and develop a condition known as heat exhaustion. Symptoms include:

• Decreased blood pressure
• Fainting sensation
• Excessive sweating
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Weak and rapid pulse
• Muscle cramps
• Damp or cool skin even at high temperatures

Heat exhaustion can pave the way to heat stroke. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to be extra cautious and not ignore them.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels drop to unusually low levels. It happens when blood glucose levels fall below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

The risk of hypoglycemia increases in the summer because metabolism tends to be more vigorous in hot and humid weather, and you're more likely to absorb more insulin.

When hypoglycemia develops, you may start to feel confused or have blurred vision. Other symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Shakiness
• Palpitations

In extreme cases, you may lose consciousness. Be sure to have glucose tablets or another quick-acting source of carbohydrates on hand so you can take them immediately if your sugar levels begin to drop.

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels are too high. The body either doesn't have enough insulin or can't use the insulin it has effectively.

Hyperglycemia is indicated by sugar levels exceeding 180 mg/dL after meals or over 130 mg/dL before meals.

Feeling extremely thirsty or fatigued? Do you need to urinate frequently? These are common signs of hyperglycemia. Of course, excessive thirst and fatigue may also develop due to dehydration. Check your blood sugar levels and ensure you're drinking enough fluids.

When Is the Situation Dangerous?

If dehydration signs start or you're suffering from heat exhaustion, stop all activities. Move to a cool place, drink fluids (preferably water) to help recover, and monitor your blood sugar levels.

If your blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg/dL, remember the "15-15 rule," as suggested by the American Diabetes Association. This means consuming 15 grams of carbohydrates to raise blood sugar and waiting 15 minutes to check your blood sugar levels again.

If blood sugar levels are too high, fast-acting insulin can help prevent high blood sugar levels in many cases.

However, if blood sugar levels are dangerously high, do not wait. Have someone drive you to the hospital. If you've injected a little insulin and your blood sugar levels are very high, you may be in diabetic ketoacidosis, a medical emergency.

The Bottom Line

Summer can be a wonderful time for entertainment, vacations, and trips, but heat and humidity can take their toll on diabetics.

It's important to watch for signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion and closely monitor blood glucose levels. Ensure sufficient supplies of fluids, medications, and other essential items are nearby. This way, you can access your medications, fast-acting carbohydrates, or other equipment as soon as you need them.

Prof. Julio Weinstein is the head of the diabetes research unit at Wolfson Hospital and a senior diabetes physician at the DMC Diabetes Care Center.