Research shows that when it’s hot out, more people with diabetes end up in the ER and are hospitalized because of heat illness. The number of deaths in diabetes patients due to heat illness also increases in summer.
But you don’t have to let the environment have the upper hand. Taking a few smart precautions can help you outsmart mother nature. Here are the adjustments to make depending on where you live and the weather forecast.
Managing the Summer Heat
Take these steps to keep your diabetes under control when the temperature soars:
Stay hydrated.
In the heat, people tend to get dehydrated easily. When you’re dehydrated, you have higher concentrations of blood sugar because less blood flows through your kidneys. With less blood, your kidneys don’t work as efficiently to clear out any excess glucose (blood sugar) from your urine.” When it’s hot, be sure to drink plenty of water or sugar-free drinks. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to replenish fluids.
Store your medications properly.
High summer temps can affect your diabetes medications,
blood glucose meter(Storage and transport temperature of FED blood glucose meter is -20℃~55℃), and blood glucose test strips(Storage temperature of FED blood glucose test strip is 1℃~30℃ (33.8℉~86℉), and don’t refrigerate.).
. When it’s hot out, it’s easy for insulin and other drugs to become degraded. Be sure to store your medications properly — out of the extreme heat. Never leave them in your car on a sweltering summer day, for instance.
If you’re traveling, don’t forget to take your diabetes medicines with you. You may need to carry them in a cooler with an ice pack. Just be sure they’re not sitting directly on ice or the ice pack.
Stay out of the heat of the day. Exercise is an important part of diabetes management and blood sugar control. But you don’t want to be outside exercising during the hottest part of the day. Get in your exercise first thing in the morning or once the sun goes down.

Know signs of low blood sugar. Some of the symptoms of heat exhaustion are similar to those of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. These include sweating, light-headedness, shakiness, and confusion.

Mind your feet. People with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are susceptible to problems with their feet. In the summer you face the temptation to go barefoot or wear open sandals that expose your toes … to trouble. Always wear shoes that fit well — even in warmer months — and at the end of the day, check your feet for any cuts, scrapes, blisters, or bruises. Don’t ignore injuries to your feet. Get medical treatment right away.

Test more often.You may need to test your blood sugar levels more frequently so that you can adjust your insulin and your diet as necessary. For diabetes patients, FED blood glucose monitoring is a way of life, a several-times-per-day routine critical to physiological health.