Hey everyone, we had this story today about some of the dangers of the heat for people with diabetes. Check it out: Many Diabetics Ignoring Dangers of Hot Weather
I was wondering if any of you take any special precautions or have any tips you can add here.
--Chris
make sure to have lotss of sugars, drink plenty of water and make sure to keep your extra insulin in the shade. i usually take a portable mini ice pack and stick it in with my insulin when i go hot places for a long period of time. like say a sports game. i also find that temps over like 85 degrees makes my sugar drop super fast so i test way more than normal.
I don't do anything. If I have a reduced ability to sweat b/c of my D, I must have missed that during my workout today!
My little boy sweats A LOT so the decreased ability to sweat is news to me. I know to keep the meter and test strips out of extreme temps, but I always take it with me, tucked safely in a diaper bag or purse. As far as dangers of hot weather, once the temp or heat index reaches over 100 degrees everyone should take precaution regardless of their health. We live in central Florida so I hear the warnings often on the local news.
i'll have to admit i don't do anything either. i sweat plenty so i would say my ability is up to par :o) i figure if my pump can stand the heat of being squished between my boobs all day, wandering around outside in the sun won't hurt it too much. HAHA. also, i live in iowa. the weather is pretty temperate. we'll have a few over-100 days, but our summers aren't too bad temperature wise... i could do without the humidity though. does humidity hurt pumps/insulin/meters? i also never leave my stuff at home for fear of weather. i'd rather have it with me.
I think one of the key words in this article is "Arizona". The older generation does populate that state on their vacations. They (T2) react differently than we T1's.
As soon as I wake up, I am sweating! I even sweat in my sleep!!!! I have no problems as far as that goes!!! If I am going to be out in the heat for a while like at a picnic or on the beach, I put my insulin in a bag and put it in a small cooler that we usually take with us! I keep my meter and supplies in my purse/bag and try to keep it in the shade.
I've been to Seaworld, Busch Gardens, and Universal Orlando with my insulin pens. It was very hot around 90 degrees, i carry a medical bag made for diabetics to keep their insulin cold. It comes with an ice pack that you freeze and then insert in the bag with your pens, but it doesnt keep it too cold and too warm. and their is a special place for your test strips, and tester so they dont get too cold or too warm. I love it! its helped a lot in the heat.
I am usually low in the heat at the parks from walking a lot & being dehydrated. I keep a water bottle with me and a small juice bottle & it works out well for me. :)
If I'm in the sun more than 30 min. I get low blood sugars- sometimes immediately, sometimes later in the day. I usually decrease my insulin or add a snack, sometimes two! My grandmother- also T1- had the same problem with the sun. And it is sunlight, not heat.... And, of course, use sunscreen! I am T1 and don't have any sweating issues-
Claire O.
Yeeeew!!!! Sweat talk. LOL
Trust me, I'm a T1 and have no trouble sweating.
I do watch myself closely in hot temps and especially if sitting under direct sunlight for long periods of time. I also have to make sure not to ever leave any supplies in my car when traveling if it's hot out.
I use low cal Gatorade for Riley in the heat. Well more outdoors I dont think its the heat as much as she is really active. Anyhow they are 8 carbs and she gets one about every hour. If she doesnt she drops to low and they dont make her go to high. They are the little bottles like lunch sack size. They work perfectly for her and help keep her hydrated.
I live in Arizona and take no precautions haha. This is pretty much the one area in D management I lack in. But the funny thing is, the only thing my endo really stresses concerning heat is to change my site every other day instead of every three days in the summer. Obviously, I should be drinking a lot more but I doubt I do :0)
I don't take any precautions aside from those any person without diabetes would take. The sweating part was news to me. I do make sure not to leave any of my supplies in cars (at least for more than a few minutes), though.
nothing for the sun & its really hot where i live!
For as long as I can remember I have had to adjust my insulin dosages and reduce my dosages when hot weather arrives. This partly due to the increased level of activity during warmer weather, but I am convinced that the hot weather itself lowers my need for insulin. In the late fall I have to start increasing my dosages again. These dosage adjustments are not all that much, but they are important.
When out and about, on a hot day, I carry my insulin vial without any cooling device.I have done that for many years and the insulin has never been affected by the heat, I always keep the insulin out of direct sunlight.
[quote user="Rochelle"]
I think one of the key words in this article is "Arizona". The older generation does populate that state on their vacations. They (T2) react differently than we T1's.
[/quote]
I am T1 and have lived in Arizona (Phoenix) for 50 years. I have been using insulin pumps for 15 years, and haven't had any obvious problems with the heat. I ride my bicycle 12 months a year (except not this month because I have a broken foot), always start early (6:30 to 7:30, depending on sunrise) and finish before 11:00. I have never carried an insulin vial with me, but the pump reservoir is essentially the same thing, and of course that's always with me.
i never even knew the heat effected my diabetes......hahah my bad. Thanks for sharing though, i'll be sure to to be more careful in the heat from now on.
If I am going to be in the heat/sun I always keep sunny d and glucose tabs near by !!! Heat makes my BS go low all the time.
I live in Phoenix too. I'm just not stupid and leave my meter or pump out in the sun! I've known that since I was diagnosed in 91. I don't bother with changing my pump any less. I guess the key is just to keep drinking loads of water, testing and knowing your limits. Yup it was 116 today.