Extreme heat, heatwaves and diabetes: what should you do to protect yourself?

What are the consequences of hot weather and heat waves on diabetes and its management? 

Various mechanisms and body processes help us adapt to hot weather, as well as to extreme heat and heat waves.

Nevertheless, high temperatures are stressful for the body. In addition to increased sweating, faster breathing and a general feeling of weakness we experience in hot weather, heat can also influence our blood sugar levels.

Heat, being a source of stress for the body, can lead to our body organs "overworking" themselves. Thus, the body releases hormones that raise blood sugar levels.

In addition, heat stimulates blood vessels to dilate, making insulin absorption more rapid, which can lead to a drop in blood sugar levels.

Heat raises our body temperature and increases the production of sweat, which in its turn leads to greater water loss. This results in dehydration and a breakdown in the hydro-electrolyte balance, thus making our blood sugar levels rise.

In hot weather self-monitoring of blood glucose becomes more complicated. Dehydration caused by the heat makes it more difficult to obtain the drops of blood needed for self-measurement and disrupts the proper functioning of the equipment. If blood glucose meters, test strips and electrodes are not kept at the right temperature, they may stop working correctly, making blood glucose monitoring difficult or impossible.

Heat can also have a deleterious effect on certain medications because of the specific conditions in which they must be stored.

So if you are suffering with diabetes, you should be aware that you can have a hard time stabilising your blood sugar levels in hot weather, and that you need to take the necessary precautions to prevent hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and other complications.

How should diabetic patients behave in hot weather and during heat waves? 

Stay hydrated 

Dehydration can be brought on by being in hot weather, but it can also be caused by hyperglycaemia. It can further complicate glycaemic control, as well as the monitoring procedures, since measuring capillary glycaemia (taking a drop of blood) becomes more difficult.

You need to be aware of the signs of dehydration, such as thirst, fever, nausea or tiredness.

That is why it is vital to drink water regularly, without waiting until you're thirsty. It is recommended to drink at least 1.5 litres of water a day. Mineral-rich waters are all the more interesting.

You can vary your water intake, for example through your diet. Cold soups and water-rich fruit and vegetables (watermelon, melon, strawberry, cucumber, etc.) are good alternatives.

Alcohol should be avoided as it increases dehydration and the risk of hypoglycaemia.

Adjust your diet 

When temperatures rise above 30°C, many people feel less hungry. To limit the risk of hypoglycaemia, however, a well-balanced diet remains essential. You need to eat sufficient quantities of light healthy dishes that are rich in water, without forgetting to maintain a sufficient intake of complex carbohydrates (rice, pasta, potatoes, pulses, etc.).

Take care of your medication and your diabetes devices and care products

Medication

As some medications have special storage instructions, you need to be extra vigilant in hot weather.

Insulin supplies should be kept refrigerated (but not frozen) to maintain their effectiveness. After opening, they should be stored at room temperature, not exceeding 30°C. The insulin pen in use should be kept out of direct sunlight. When your thermometer shows more than 30°C, it is better to store it in an insulated pouch.

Diabetes accessories

According to health authorities, diabetic equipment should not be exposed to direct sunlight, high temperatures or extreme variations in temperature, especially in humid conditions.

Blood glucose meters, test strips (or electrodes) and any other control devices must be kept in a cool, dry place and used within a defined temperature range, otherwise the results may be falsified or the equipment may malfunction.

If in doubt, refer to the instructions or user manuals for your diabetes care products.