What to do to control blood sugar on hot days?

Hot weather causes diabetics to sweat a lot and become dehydrated, leading to poor blood sugar control. Hot weather can increase the risk of hypoglycemia for people taking insulin medications. Because the body’s metabolism increases in hot weather and insulin absorption also increases, leading to the risk of hypoglycemia.

Rising temperatures make people with diabetes feel hotter than normal people. Complications of the disease such as damage to blood vessels and nerves can affect sweat glands, making it difficult for the body to cool effectively. This can easily lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Signs of high and low blood sugar in people with diabetes are easily confused with heatstroke, headaches, dizziness, sweating, and fatigue due to heat, causing patients to ignore and not treat them promptly.

To stay healthy during the hot season, you should drink more water and bring water with you if you work or do outdoor activities. Drink water in small sips, do not drink too much water at once. Do not quench your thirst with soft drinks, carbonated water or fruit juice because it causes an increase in blood sugar. Prioritize apples, avocados, guava, grapefruit, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries… instead of fruits with high glycemic index such as longan, lychee, jackfruit, durian.

When going out in the sun, wear long-sleeved shirts, loose pants, a hat and sunglasses, and apply sunscreen. Store blood glucose measuring devices and insulin medication away from direct sunlight because it can damage the medication or distort the measurement results. Insulin can break down in sunlight or high temperatures.

When damaged by heat, clear insulin is often cloudy or cloudy insulin will become rough and stick to the glass, turning brown. Insulin should be stored in the refrigerator or cool bag, be careful not to put it in the freezer.

Check blood sugar more often, have regular check-ups with a doctor in the Department of Endocrinology – Diabetes to adjust your diet and medication accordingly.

In case of heat exhaustion or dehydration causing headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, muscle cramps, stomach cramps, pale skin, you need to move to a cool place to rest, then go to the nearest medical facility for timely emergency treatment.