Summer Heat and Diabetes: A Dangerous Combination

Posted on by Jordan Soblick

Summer is right around the corner, and after the year we’ve all had, warm temperatures, sunshine, and the joys of spending time outdoors are just what we need.

But summer sun comes with summer heat. And while high temperatures and extended, unprotected exposure to the sun’s harmful rays pose risks to everyone, they are especially perilous for people with diabetes.

What Makes Summer Heat So Dangerous For People With Diabetes?

Heat combined with moderate to high activity can cause individuals to sweat profusely. In turn, that perspiration can leave you dehydrated, and for people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, dehydration can cause blood glucose levels to rise. Not drinking enough liquids can further raise blood glucose, and high blood glucose can make you urinate more, causing even more dehydration.

Excessive heat can be a factor in other diabetes complications and health problems as well. Damage to blood vessels and nerves, a common issue for people with diabetes, can affect your sweat glands so your body can’t cool down as effectively as it should. That can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, both of which are serious medical emergencies. High temperatures and heat can also affect how your body uses insulin. During the summer, you may need to test your blood sugar more frequently, adjust your insulin dose, or make changes to what you eat and drink.

How To Protect Yourself Against Extreme Heat

  • Drink plenty of water—even if you’re not thirsty.
  • Avoid or minimize your consumption of alcohol and drinks with caffeine as they can lead to water loss and cause a spike in your blood sugar levels.
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothing.
  • Apply sunscreen regularly and wear a hat when you’re outside. Sunburn and the inflammation it causes can raise your blood sugar levels.
  • Retreat to an air-conditioned building to stay cool.
  • Check your blood sugar before, during, and after physical activity or spending a significant time in the summer heat. You may need to adjust your insulin use as well.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Can Make Your Summer a Breeze

As noted, summer heat requires even more vigilance when it comes to checking blood sugar levels. That is why you should make Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) part of your lifestyle this summer and beyond.

CGM is an alternative to disruptive and inconvenient finger-pricking that has long been the primary method of checking blood sugar. It is a proven, approved, and easy-to-use transceiver device that provides real-time glucose readings every few minutes through a tiny sensor underneath the skin. This sensor measures your interstitial glucose level and then sends the data to a pager-like monitor or an app on your smartphone. An alarm will sound if your blood sugar becomes too high or too low.

Ask your doctor about CGM and contact us today to see if you qualify for CGM and access our guide to continuous glucose monitoring.

CALL US TO QUALIFY NOW

If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

1-888-308-0094

*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading