Lots of factors go into diabetes management, from what you eat to medications you take to how well you slept the night before. However, one influence that you might not think about is temperature.
It turns out that both heat and cold impact blood sugar in different ways. That means it’s essential that you’re aware of how a hot summer day or a freezing winter cold snap could affect your diabetes management.
Luckily, there are ways to minimize the effects of different temperatures on your blood sugar by being aware and prepared!
Hot weather and diabetes
If you have diabetes, the heat will affect you more than someone who doesn’t have this condition. You’re at a greater risk of becoming dehydrated, which can lead to high blood sugar, which leads to increased urination, causing the cycle to continue.
If you have diabetes complications, like blood vessel or nerve damage, your body might not be able to cool down as effectively.
You’re also at increased risk of having low blood sugar in the heat. High temperatures impact how quickly your body uses insulin, so it’s important to keep an eye on your blood sugar to avoid going low.
Cold weather and diabetes
Cooler temperatures can impact blood sugar too. Being in the cold puts stress on your body, which means stress hormones such as cortisol are released. These hormones can raise blood sugar because they tell your liver to release sugar.
The winter season is also prime time for illnesses like colds and the flu. Since being ill also triggers the release of stress hormones, your blood sugar can increase when you’re sick.
How to manage diabetes in the heat and cold
Even though both hot and cold temperatures increase the challenges of diabetes management, there are steps you can take to make it easier.
Since insulin and diabetes supplies like test strips are sensitive to extreme temperatures, make sure to protect them. This means keeping your insulin and test strips in a cooler when you’re somewhere warm and storing it in an insulated thermos or storage container if you’re in the cold.
Also, don’t leave your medications or supplies in your car when it’s not running if it’s hot or cold outside.
During summer, you can also reduce the impact of the heat on your blood sugar by exercising and spending time outdoors during the morning or evening, which are the coolest times of day. To avoid overheating, wear cool clothes, and make sure to use sunscreen to avoid getting sunburnt (which can also increase your blood sugar!).
When it’s cold out, dress appropriately to stay as warm as possible. Since it’s also peak flu season during the winter, take precautions like washing your hands, receiving the flu vaccine, and getting enough quality sleep to increase your chances of staying healthy.
And if you’re in need of diabetes supplies like test strips, blood sugar meters, or continuous glucose monitors, check out Shield HealthCare’s products today!
Kourtney Johnson, Registered Dietitian
Owner of Intuitively Nourished and Type 1 Diabetes patient since age 11
