Managing Type 1 Diabetes in the Heat

By: SaRene Brooks

As the temperatures rise or you plan that warm-weather getaway, have you considered the hidden impact on your blood sugar? For individuals living with diabetes, heat can significantly affect glucose levels, making management more challenging. This post will explore the key ways heat influences your body and provide essential insights for navigating seasonal changes and travel safely..

High Blood Sugars in the Heat

Hot weather for anyone can result in dehydration. But for someone with diabetes, this can cause high blood sugars because the amount of water in the bloodstream is decreased. While the amount of glucose remains the same, the ratio of water to sugar has changed making the blood sugar levels more concentrated. High blood sugar levels also promote more frequent urination, in-turn creating greater dehydration. It turns into a vicious cycle.

Low Blood Sugars in the Heat

Others with diabetes may notice low blood sugars as the weather warms up. Sometime this is brought on indirectly by increases physical activity. Adults and children tend to get out and about more in the warm weather or may be involved in social events outside that require them to be more active.

A more direct effect happens as warmer temperatures can cause a dilation of the blood vessels. This can increase insulin absorption leading to low blood sugars.

Heat and Humidity Combined

Pay attention to the heat index. It tells what the heat feels like considering heat and humidity. Increased moisture in the air makes it more difficult for the body to cool itself off. As sweat accumulates on the skin it should evaporate which is the body’s self-cooling process. But, in high humidity, sweat has a difficult time evaporating and the body’s heat is not removed as efficiently.

Tips to Tackle the Heat

• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. It not only keeps you hydrated but is also responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the body and helps the kidneys to flush out waste.

• Keep an eye on your blood sugars. Whether you use a CGM or test manually, check your blood sugars frequently so you can make the necessary adjustments early on.

• Look for the shade. Find a cool spot out of the sun when possible if you are outdoors.

• Wear light-weight, breathable clothing.

• Wear shoes instead of going barefoot to keep your feet protected from the heat of the ground, even by the pool or at the beach.

• Wear a hat to shade your neck and face.

• Remember the sunscreen. A sunburn can be painful causing stress on the body. Stress is a trigger for blood sugars to rise.

• If you like to exercise outdoors, plan to do so in the cooler part of the day such as early in the morning or just before dark.

Don’t Forget About Proper Storage

Not only your body can be impacted by the heat, but your diabetes supplies can as well. Do not store insulin in a hot car or in a window seal in direct sunlight. Oral medication should also be kept in a dark and dry area. Direct sun and heat can also damage your monitor, insulin pump and other management devices. If you are at the beach or the pool, be sure to have a safe and cool place to store things. If you us a cooler to store your insulin while traveling or going out and about, do not put it directly on the ice pack.

Enjoy the warm weather and traveling to beautiful humid areas. Just be aware of where your blood sugars are headed as you do. Plan ahead and be prepared with the supplies you need to make the appropriate corrections. Be proactive so that diabetes does not keep you from doing the things you love.

For additional information check out CDC Managing Diabetes in the Heat.

By understanding how heat impacts your blood sugar – whether leading to highs or lows – and proactively applying these simple tips, you can confidently embrace the warmer months and your travels. Stay hydrated, monitor closely, and protect both yourself and your supplies, ensuring diabetes never stops you from enjoying all the things you love.

SaRene Brooks is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). She is a mom of 3 boys who are now married which added 3 girls to her family. 2 of her sons live with type 1 diabetes (T1D). She specializes in helping families who are impacted by type 1 to adjust and make it a part of their everyday life , while enjoying the things they love.

She is the wife of an avid outdoorsman and loves spending time with him in the mountains. She is a grandma, creative cook, educator and loves to help individuals and families meet their health and nutrition goals.