As the temperatures soared, so did blood sugars of many diabetics. Some even saw that blood sugars were lowered. How it happens and how to protect ourselves?
Be cautious of low blood sugars can occur during weather extremes because our body utilizes more energy to stay warm (during cool weather) or stay cool (during hot weather). This seems more complicated as we try to enjoy our vacations and maintain normal blood sugar level.
What you need to consider is that your blood sugar dependant on other factors such as hydration, exercise, stress and food eaten. Hydration is one of the most important elements to help us stay healthy outdoors. Fluids such as water are best, with another electrolyte containing beverage handy if sweat excessively. Dehydration is dangerous if left unchecked. It causes confusion, which may make a person unaware of a low blood sugar.
Key advice; stay well hydrated and test blood sugars more frequently while outdoors particularly during too much of sweating. Also remember that the medication and the meters may not work well at temperature extremes; so best to store them in location where they will not overheat or freeze.
Have fun, and enjoy your travel safely! Share your tips on how to stay safe in the sun or on the ski slope.
The weather can affect your blood glucose control and insulin requirements. Some people experience a sudden decline in their insulin requirements during abrupt change in weather from winter (cool weather) to summer (warm weather). In such individuals, insulin requirements will be higher in winter and lower in the summer. The reason for this effect is not completely understood.
People with diabetes who also have the lupus erythematosus (immunity related disease) may experience just the opposite – lower insulin requirements in cold weather and higher requirements in warm weather.
There were significant seasonal effects; the seasonal variation was consistent across different sub-populations. Regions with colder winter temperatures had larger winter-summer contrasts than did those with warmer winter temperatures. The seasonal patterns followed trends similar to those of many physiologic markers, cardiovascular and other diabetes outcomes, and mortality.
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15746473?ordinalpos=43&itool=EntrezSy...
Thanks a lot i did not know that weather also affects diabetes.
this information could really help me.