The Differences (and Similarities) Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

From health.com

Both can be treated, but only one can be prevented

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes may share a name, but there are as many things different about them as there are similar.

At their core, both diseases involve abnormally high levels of sugar in the bloodstream, which is a dangerous, if not life-threatening situation. That occurs as the result of deficiencies in the hormone insulin. In a healthy body, insulin, which is produced by your pancreas, heads to the bloodstream after you eat to break down the sugars from food before escorting them into your cells where they wait to be used as energy.

In type 1 diabetes, the body no longer makes any insulin at all, which means that blood sugar levels rise to sometimes stratospheric levels in the blood. Type 2 is a completely different physiology, with the insulin getting less and less effective over time, rather than shutting down abruptly, Mary Vouyiouklis Kellis, MD, an endocrinologist at the Cleveland Clinic, tells Health. This is called insulin resistance.

Type 1 diabetes represents less than 5% of diabetes cases, and type 2 diabetes 90 to 95%. Other, rarer forms of the condition, make up the rest.  

The Differences and Similarities Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Credit: Getty Images

The causes of type 1 and type 2 are different

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, which means that your immune system mistakenly attacks your body. In the case of type 1 diabetes, immune-system cells go after the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, which causes insulin production to suddenly turn off.

No one knows exactly why your body goes on the offensive, but there are probably many contributing factors. "We don't completely understand why this happens but there is some data that a viral infection can trigger the process if you already have a predisposition," says Dr. Vouyiouklis Kellis. "You may already have antibodies [the immune-system cells that attack the pancreas] but the second hit is a viral infection." That predisposition could also be genetic.

With type 2 diabetes, genetics, including family history, can also play a role, but here the main risk comes from being obese or overweight, as well as other lifestyle factors, such as not being active and eating unhealthy foods, Jasmine D. Gonzalvo, PharmD, director of the Centre for Health Equity and Innovation at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, tells Health. "The body still has some ability to produce insulin, but the body has a resistance to the insulin." In type 2 diabetes, the cells may also have difficulty using the insulin effectively, called insulin resistance.

Type 1 and type 2 affect different groups of people

Type 1 diabetes used to be called "Juvenile Onset Diabetes" because, although it can affect anyone, it most often strikes kids aged four to six and those aged 10 to 14.

Type 2 diabetes, originally called adult-onset diabetes, mostly affects adults, but the age at diagnosis is getting younger. 

"There's been more of a grey area within the last decade or so, where you see an older onset of what actually is type 1 and a younger onset of type 2 diabetes," says Gonzalvo. "There has been more of a merging rather than a separation."

Other distinctions remain. "Type 1 diabetes tends to be diagnosed in younger individuals of normal weight, though they may have a personal or family history of autoimmune disease," Deena Adimoolam, MD, a specialist in endocrinology and preventative medicine, who practices in New Jersey, tells Health. "Type 2 diabetes tends to be diagnosed in older individuals who are overweight or obese."

The symptoms and complications are similar

Consistently high levels of blood sugar cause the symptoms of both types of diabetes and many of those symptoms are the same. "Presenting symptoms are similar in all forms of diabetes—increased thirst, increased urination, blurred vision, worsening fatigue, weight loss," says Dr. Adimoolam. "Since patients with type 1 diabetes produce very little or no insulin at the time of diagnosis, they are more likely to present to the hospital with a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)." People with type 1 may also lose weight.

One unique symptom of type 2 diabetes is a condition called acamphotisi nigricans, says Vouyiouklis Kellis. That's when you see a darkening of the skin at the back of the neck or back of the arm, places where there are folds under the skin. This is a sign of insulin resistance, which is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes but not type 1 diabetes.

Chronically high levels of blood glucose can lead to serious complications which, says Dr. Adimoolam, are similar for both types of diabetes. These include heart disease, kidney problems, nerve damage, amputation, and eye damage that can result in blindness.

Diagnosis is the same

Diagnosing type 1 and type 2 diabetes is based on tests to determine how high your blood sugar is. There are several different types of tests, including the A1C test, a blood test which looks at your average blood-sugar levels over the past two to three months, and a fasting plasma glucose test, a blood test which measures levels after you've been fasting for at least eight hours.

If your doctor thinks you have type 1 diabetes, he or she may also order certain antibody tests. 

The treatments are different

There's only one treatment for type 1 diabetes: insulin replacement. "Without insulin, people with type 1 diabetes may die from complications like diabetic ketoacidosis," says Dr. Adimoolam.

There are a wide range of treatment options for type 2 diabetes, starting with oral and injectable medications to control blood sugar, then moving on to insulin when those things stop working. "Many people with type 2 diabetes are on a combination of these treatments," says Dr. Adimoolam.

A healthy diet and regular exercise are a cornerstone of managing both forms of diabetes.

Only type 2 diabetes can be prevented

There's no way to prevent type 1 diabetes, but you can help prevent type 2 with lifestyle modifications. "We're talking about making healthier food choices, engaging in physical activity, and taking medication," says Dr. Gonzalvo.

https://www.health.com/condition/endocrine-conditions/difference-between-type-1-type-2-diabetes

Snacking Strategies for People with Type 2 Diabetes

From aarp.org/food

Great advice — and yummy ideas — for snacks that help lower blood sugar or keep pounds off

Getty Images

When the stay-at-home orders began back in March, plenty of people predicted that it would affect people's eating habits, and no surprise, it has. Results of an online survey conducted in April and published last month in the medical journal Obesity found that 70 percent of nearly 8,000 respondents admitted to snacking more.

They say that like it's a bad thing.

While snacking often gets maligned as an unhealthy habit, it can have an upside, particularly if you're one of the more than 34 million Americans with type 2 diabetes. For many people, snacking can help prevent overeating at meals and keep energy levels steady throughout the day, says Erin Palinski-Wade, a registered dietitian and author of 2 Day Diabetes Diet. “For people with diabetes specifically,” she says, “snacking can be a great way to help manage appetite and space carbohydrates out during the day. Eating frequently may also help prevent the blood sugar lows that can occur when you haven't eaten for an extended period of time."

Most people have experienced some of the effects of wonky blood sugar levels: sudden lethargy, mood swings or ravenous hunger. People with type 2 diabetes are more sensitive to these effects, as well as long-term risks including vision problems, nerve damage, and heart and kidney issues. That's because a diabetic pancreas fails to release insulin, or at least enough of it to deal with the aftermath of eating. Normally, your body breaks food down into glucose, a sugar and the main energy source for your cells. Insulin helps deliver that energy to cells; without that hormone, or enough of it, the sugar stays in your blood. Chronically elevated blood sugar can cause organ and tissue damage over time.

Previously, when a short-acting injectable insulin was the only option for people with type 2 diabetes, experts pushed a three-meal, two-snack-a-day regimen, says Amy Kimberlain, a registered dietician and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. But now that there are other injectables and oral medications that work differently, those restrictions have loosened up. Still, she says, timing and consistency are key when it comes to managing blood sugar, and therefore when eating.

Eating at regular intervals throughout the day is one key — Palinski-Wade recommends her clients with type 2 diabetes have some food every three to four hours. And, ideally, roughly the same amount of food. Big meals are a no-no when you have diabetes because they dump far too much glucose in your system at once. Skipping meals is ill-advised for similar reasons — your blood sugar will plummet. Sensible snacking can help in both scenarios. Palinski-Wade's helpful guide for “sensible": Make sure your snacks are no more than one-third to one-half the calories of your meals. So if you typically eat 500 calories at a meal, your snacks should be between 160 and 250 calories each.

Of course, what you eat matters, too. Your body digests carbohydrates, proteins and fats at different rates. Simple carbs — things like refined white bread and processed sugary snacks — turn into glucose the fastest, flooding your system with more sugar than it can handle. Ideally, you want a steady drip of carbs throughout your day, says Kimberlain. “We overeat carbs in general,” she says. “Strive to make half of them whole grains, which have fiber to slow digestion, and pair them with proteins and healthy fats.” For instance, try adding peanut butter to oatmeal, or beans to rice. And remember, you don't get to double up on carbs at one meal because you skipped them at a previous meal. Your goal is balance and consistency.

It may seem tough not to stress-eat carbs right now, but that Obesity study did have some encouraging data: While 44 percent of respondents were snacking on junk food, 26 percent had increased their intake of healthful snacks while quarantining. You can, too. Need more inspiration? Check out these expert-recommended suggestions for whatever you're craving:

Savoury:

• Hummus (we like Sabra singles, which are pre-portioned in 150 calorie containers) with veggies (sliced cucumber, bell pepper, celery or carrots). There's some evidence that fiber from plant-based sources may help with insulin sensitivity in as little as three weeks.
  
  
• Avocado toast or crackers. “One-third of a medium avocado contains just 4 grams of carbs, 79 percent from fiber, which slows down food digestion and prevents rapid rises in blood glucose following a meal,” says Palinski-Wade. They also have 6 grams of heart-healthy fats per serving. Try spreading avocado on crisp whole grain crackers or a slice of whole grain toast for a tasty midday fiber and nutrient boost. Sprinkle with a little garlic salt, cumin or red pepper flakes.

Salty:

• Cheese crisps. Reach for these crunchy protein treats instead of potato chips. You can make them easily yourself by baking small piles of grated cheese (cheddar and Parmesan both work well) on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a 400-degree oven until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Whisps also makes a variety of flavors.
  
  
• DIY snack mix. Mix some low-calorie whole-grain popcorn (sugar-free Pop Zero, SkinnyPop, and heirloom Pipcorn are among our fav brands) with 1 ounce of nuts, such as Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Roasted & Salted or Diamond of California's first-ever ready-to-eat Snack Walnuts line. You can season with spices like cinnamon or cayenne if you prefer. The protein-fiber-fat trio will help keep you fuller longer.

Sweet:

• Ricotta cheese with dark chocolate chips. Stir some dark chocolate (it has less sugar and antioxidants) into some part-skim ricotta for a creamy, protein-packed, low-carb way to satisfy a sweet tooth.
  
  
• Prunes. Naturally occurring sugar is typically bound with fibre, so it won't spike blood sugar levels, says Palinski-Wade. Prunes (or dried plums, as they've been rebranded) are one of the lowest-sugar dried fruits, and, she says, eating five to six prunes per day may help prevent bone loss — a great benefit especially as people with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis. She even uses them as a sugar substitute in baked goods, such as her chocolate chip prune cookies. 

https://www.aarp.org/food/healthy-eating/info-2020/smart-diabetes-snacks.html

How to Follow a Diabetes-Friendly Diet

From health.clevelandclinic.org

Plus a list of the best foods to eat if you have diabetes

If you want to take control of your health, a diabetes diet can be a great way to do it. And while the word “diet” might seem intimidating, registered dietitian Tegan Bissell says following one may be easier than you think. “A diabetes diet should include the foods you like and fit your lifestyle,” she says.

Bissell teams up with diabetes educator and registered nurse Megan Asterino-McGeean, PA-C, to explain what you need to know to follow a meal plan if you have diabetes.

What is a diabetes diet?

Asterino-McGeean says that the best diet if you have diabetes isn’t a diet at all. Instead, think of a diabetes diet as a lifestyle.

“This diet plan helps those with diabetes live a healthier lifestyle that improves blood sugar management and reduces the risk of diabetes complications,” she says. “The best diet for those with diabetes should focus on meal planning and eating balanced, correctly portioned snacks and meals.”

Some factors that mean a diabetes diet may be right for you include:

• Blood sugar levels: You have high blood sugar levels or have been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes (or told you have “borderline diabetes”).
• Diagnosis of gestational diabetes: You’ve been diagnosed with a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. People diagnosed with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life — but you may be able to prevent it by following a diet plan for diabetes.
• Weight: You have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome or obesity.

The best foods if you have diabetes— and why they’re beneficial

Bissell says the best foods to eat if you have diabetes are:

Lean proteins

Proteins help you feel full and satisfied. Examples of lean proteins include:

• Chicken.
• Eggs.
• Fish.
• Low-fat dairy.
• Turkey.

Try these diabetes-friendly recipes to get your fill of lean protein:

• Colorful Veggie Stew with Turkey Tenders.
• Crepes with Moroccan Vegetable Curry.
• Sweet and Savory Pork Chops with Grilled Peaches.

Non-starchy vegetables

Non-starchy vegetables provide important vitamins, minerals and fibre. “You can consider them ‘freebie’ foods, as they contain minimal calories and carbohydrates,” Bissell says.

They include:

• Broccoli.
• Cucumbers.
• Green beans.
• Onions.
• Peppers.
• Salad greens.

Check out these seven vegetable recipes that are anything but boring, plus other delicious recipes to help you get more non-starchy vegetables into your daily routine:

• Roasted Winter Vegetable Ragout.
• Sauteed Veggies with Avocado and Poached Eggs.

Healthy fats

Healthy fats help you feel full and are beneficial for heart health. They include:

• Avocado.
• Natural peanut butter.
• Nuts.
• Olive oil.
• Seeds.

Try these recipes to get more healthy fats in your diet:

• Avocado Tapenade Bruschetta.
• Berry Chia Seed Jam.
• A Cool Twist on Avocado Toast.
• Strawberry-Almond-Coconut Smoothie.

Complex carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are necessary for energy, fiber and certain nutrients. Complex carbs tend to digest more slowly, which prevents erratic blood sugar levels. Complex carbohydrates include foods such as:

• Beans.
• Berries.
• Brown rice.
• Greek yogurt.
• Sweet potatoes.
• Whole-wheat bread.

These recipes are good if you have diabetes, and they can help keep your engines running all day:

• Pan-Roasted Smoky Chicken Over Rosemary-Garlic Cannellini Beans.
• Rosemary Garlic Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
• Spring Vegetable Stir-Fried Rice.

Avoid these foods if you have diabetes

Bissell recommends avoiding foods that tend to spike blood sugars suddenly and can promote sugar cravings. Foods to avoid if you have diabetes include processed items, such as cereals, candy and packaged snack foods, and sugary beverages, such as juices and sodas.

How to follow a diabetes diet

Bissell emphasizes that “one size fits all” doesn’t exist with diabetes diets.

“Many people incorrectly believe they need to cut out all carbs or ‘white foods,’” she says, “but you don’t have to eliminate — just limit carbohydrate portions to amounts that work for you. And try to choose more complex carbs in the right portion sizes.”

To make the most of your diabetes diet, try the following tips, too:

• Eat fewer processed foods.
• Cook at home more often than you dine out.
• Drink more water.
• Cut out sugary drinks.
• Include vegetables at most meals.
• Be mindful of portion sizes.

While you may have to do some trial and error, Bissell says these strategies can help increase your chance for success:

1. Read food labels: Knowing what’s in your food can help you make better decisions about portion sizes and what to buy.
2. Enlist help: Get a referral to your local outpatient diabetes clinic or a registered dietitian. These experts can help you get started with better eating habits and teach you how to manage diabetes in realistic ways.
3. Follow the Diabetes Plate Method: The American Diabetes Association’s Plate Method involves filling your plate with these food ratios at each meal:
   • Half non-starchy veggies.
   • A quarter lean protein.
   • A quarter complex carbs.
   • Wash it down with water or a low-calorie beverage such as tea.
4. Go tech: Use a phone app to make it easier and more convenient for you to count carbs.
5. Try problem-solving: Bissell describes problem-solving as seeing how your food affects your blood sugars about one to two hours after eating. Then, adjust foods and portion sizes based on that.
6. Plan ahead: “You can find many recipes online that are good if you have diabetes,” says Bissell. “We recommend making a meal plan each week, using healthy recipe websites or cookbooks.”
7. Time meals: Because going too long without eating can cause a drop in blood sugar, Bissell recommends eating a balanced meal every four to five hours for more stable blood sugar levels. “The old advice to eat six small meals a day is not necessary and can elevate blood sugars,” she adds. “That’s another reason why planning the next day’s meals can be helpful — you can ensure you have nutritious foods on hand or packed and ready to eat on the go.”

Are there risks involved with eating this type of meal plan?

Following a diabetes diet plan is safe, says Bissell, if you don’t take it to the extreme.

“Some people eat a diet that’s too restrictive or low in carbohydrates. This causes them to lack important nutrients or have frequent low blood sugar levels,” she says. “Balance is key, along with being realistic about what habits you can maintain for the long term.”

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/diabetic-diet/

100 Years of Insulin: What Patients With Diabetes Need to Know

From uknow.uky.edu

The University of Kentucky Public Relations and Strategic Communications Office provides a weekly health column available for use and reprint by news media. This week's column is by Laura Hieronymus, a doctor of nursing practice, master licensed diabetes educator, and the associate director of education and quality services at the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Centre.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 6, 2021) — This year marks a century since the discovery of insulin. Drs. Fredrick Banting and Charles Best discovered the lifesaving medicine in 1921, changing the diabetes diagnosis from a death sentence to a manageable lifestyle. Insulin is credited with saving millions of people and is considered one of the greatest medical achievements of all time. Today, scientists continue to make great strides in diabetes research. There are ongoing efforts to make advancements in diagnosing and treating diabetes, as well as finding a cure for the disease.

People with Type 1 diabetes rely on insulin to keep their blood glucose at a healthy level. Those with Type 2 diabetes may eventually require insulin due to declining insulin production. There are a number of different types of insulin, so it is important to stay “in the know.”

Bernard Chantal, iStock / Getty Images Plus

Five Things to Know About Your insulin

1. Name of your insulin:
   • Always check the label to be sure you are using the insulin that your provider prescribed for you.
   • Know both the generic names and brand names of your insulin (sometimes a generic name may have more than one trade name).This will help you make sure that you are using the correct insulin.

2. Insulin concentration:
   • Know the concentration, or the strength, of your insulin; if the concentration is incorrect, you may not receive the right dose.
   • The most common concentration is U-100. However, other higher than U-100 concentrations such as U-200, U-300, and U-500 are also available.
   • If you are prescribed a lower concentration of insulin and use a higher concentration, you may get 2-5 times the insulin you need, which would seriously increase your risk for hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose). On the other hand, if you are prescribed a higher concentration of insulin and use a lower concentration, your risk for hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose) will increase.

3. Colour and appearance:
   • Most insulins will look clear and colourless. If your clear insulin is NOT clear, throw it away.
   • Some insulins, such as premixed insulins, will look cloudy. These insulins contain added substances called buffers that make them work over a longer time. When these types of insulin sit for even just a few minutes, the buffers settle to the bottom of the vial. Gently roll the insulin pen between your hands to mix the insulin before injecting. If your cloudy insulin will not mix, throw it away.  
4. Insulin dose:
   • Know your dose. Taking too much insulin can increase your risk for hypoglycaemia, and too little insulin can increase your risk for hyperglycaemia.
   • Monitoring your glucose levels will help you and your health care provider determine which dose is best for you.  
5. Timing of injections:
   • You should be aware of when you are supposed to use your insulin. Be sure you know how often and at what time of day you should use your insulin.

Finally, be sure to ALWAYS review the details and instructions in the medication guide that comes with your insulin prescription. Starting insulin can be overwhelming. Reach out to your provider, pharmacist and/or diabetes care and education specialist for guidance.

Diabetes education is considered such an important part of your diabetes care that medical treatment without it is considered inadequate. To learn more about diabetes education and healthy behaviours such as proper use of insulin, contact Barnstable Brown Diabetes Education Services at 859-323-7391 or diabeteseducationservices@uky.edu.

http://uknow.uky.edu/uk-healthcare/100-years-insulin-what-patients-diabetes-need-know

Type 2 diabetes symptoms: Four sensations indicative of high blood sugar

From express.co.uk

DIABETES is a condition that can gradually creep up on you; even though the symptoms can be brushed off as inconsequential, the internal damage being done is dangerous

Early indications of high blood sugar (the hallmark of type 2 diabetes) include frequent urination, increased hunger, and tiredness. As the condition progresses, sensations might appear. According to the Mayo Clinic, excess sugar in the blood can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessel (i.e. capillaries) that nourish your nerves. This can prevent adequate blood supply and nutrients from reaching the nerves.

Consequently, four sensations might arise in the tips of the toes and fingers. The four sensations in the body's extremities are: tingling, numbness, burning and/or pain.

Do not ignore these warning signs, especially if it's recurrent, because it could result in an absolute loss of feeling in the affected limbs.

Type 2 diabetes: Four sensations indicative of high blood sugar (Image: Getty)

If no feeling is left in the feet, cuts and blisters can then develop into serious infections, and the wound would not be able to heal properly.

In severe cases, serious infections can lead to the toe, foot, or leg being amputated (i.e. surgically removed).

Other indications of nerve damage include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation.

For men, nerve damage can even lead to erectile dysfunction.

Nerve damage (known as neuropathy) is only one long-term health complication that can arise from high blood sugar.

Type 2 diabetes can also "dramatically" increase the risk of cardiovascular issues, such as:

• Coronary heart disease
• Heart attack
• Stroke.

The best way to manage your diabetes is to receive medical support as soon as possible.

If you identify with any of these early warning signs of type 2 diabetes, request a blood test to check for your blood sugar levels.

The NHS listed symptoms of type 2 diabetes:

• Peeing more than usual, particularly at night
• Feeling thirsty all the time
• Feeling very tired
• Losing weight without trying to
• Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
• Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
• Blurred vision.

Am I at risk of type 2 diabetes?

People over the age of 25 are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, especially if they're from south Asian descent.

Your risk for this condition also increases if you have a close relative who has type 2 diabetes, such as a parent or sibling.

You're also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you're overweight. However, it must be noted that some people aren't overweight when they're diagnosed with the condition.

A GP can diagnose type 2 diabetes, which means treatment can begin.

While there is no cure available for the condition, it can be put into remission. This will involve exercising more often, eating a healthy diet, and being a non-smoker. Medication may be prescribed to you in order to help lower blood sugar levels.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1458152/type-2-diabetes-symptoms-bodily-sensations-high-blood-sugar-nerve-damage

This One Thing Could Predict if You'll Get Diabetes, Says Study

From eatthis.com

This childhood condition has been linked to type 2 diabetes

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, about ten percent of Americans, or 34 million, suffer from diabetes. 90 to 95 percent of them have type 2 diabetes, meaning your body doesn't use insulin properly. There are multiple risk factors for diabetes, some of them preventable and others not. Researchers are continually studying diabetes, hoping to gain more understanding about what causes it and how to prevent it. Recently new findings have identified a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes, that could help prevent many people from developing the condition. Read on to find out the risk factor.

Your Childhood BMI Could Predict Diabetes

The research letter, published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology found that childhood obesity—a high body mass index (BMI)—could be a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes and early myocardial infarction, and ultimately lead to overall worse health in young adulthood regardless of BMI.

Researchers used BMI z-scores of 12,300 children between the ages of 11 and 18 with 24 years of follow-up self-reported data via the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. They found that a higher BMI in adolescence was responsible for a 2.6 percent increase in overall poor health, a 8.8 percent greater risk for type 2 diabetes and 0.8 percent increased risk for early myocardial infarction for adults in their 30s and 40s—regardless of their adult BMI.

"The finding that adolescent BMI is a risk factor for poor health outcomes in adulthood, regardless of adult BMI, has significant implications for our understanding of cardiovascular disease onset," study lead Jason M. Nagata, MD, MSc, stated in a press release. "Considering these findings, health care providers should consider BMI history when assessing for cardiovascular and chronic disease risk."

"Our study suggests that adolescence is an important time period to optimize health and prevent early heart attacks," Nagata continued. "Paediatricians should encourage teens to develop healthy behaviours including physical activity and balanced meals."

https://www.eatthis.com/news-childhood-bmi-diabetes-risk-study/

How Do Heat and Humidity Affect Diabetes?

From healthline.com

Summertime can bring extra challenges for people with diabetes. Research suggests that hot weather can lead to health issues for people with diabetes, making you more sensitive to high temperatures and humidity.

You may find it harder to keep your blood sugar levels under control, and you may be at increased risk for developing heat exhaustion.

So, when the weather heats up, it’s important to closely monitor your blood sugar levels and watch for possible symptoms that your body is not handling the heat very well. That way, you can take action before the situation becomes serious.

Ways the heat can affect people with diabetes

It’s not just that the hot weather can make you feel tired and sluggish. It can have some negative effects on how your diabetes affects your body. For example, people with diabetes tend to get dehydrated more quickly than people without diabetes. Signs of mild to moderate dehydration can include:

• fatigue
• decreased urination
• increased thirst
• dizziness or light-headedness
• headache
• dry mouth and dry eyes

When dehydration becomes more severe, you may develop:

• excessive thirst
• dark-coloured urine
• low blood pressure
• rapid heart rate

Some people even notice their sweat production drops off.

Dehydration can make your blood glucose levels rise. Then, you may develop a more frequent need to urinate, which compounds the problem.

You’re also more vulnerable to heat exhaustion because diabetes can damage your blood vessels and nerves, including the nerves in your sweat glands, so you may not be able to cool your body as efficiently as it needs.

Additionally, high temps can alter how your body uses insulin. Typically, if you’re exercising, it reduces your need for insulin. But hot weather can throw a wrench into that, and you may be at risk for both high and low blood glucose levels.

That’s a good incentive for discussing with a medical professional how to adjust your insulin, if need be, to account for your activity level and the weather.

Don’t forget about humidity

In some places, it’s not just hot. It’s hot and humid at the same time. The extra moisture in the air can make the heat feel worse.

And here’s the challenge for people with diabetes: When it’s humid, your sweat doesn’t evaporate as well as it would under drier conditions. That makes it harder to stay cool, and that can make it harder for you to keep your blood glucose levels under control.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention suggests monitoring the heat index in your area, since that takes both temperature and humidity into account.

Tips for warm weather and diabetes management

Managing your diabetes carefully is the best way to stay on top of the situation. Here are a few tips to help you do that and stay safe in the heat this summer:

• Drink plenty of water. Avoiding dehydration is critical, so you’ll want to make sure you’re keeping up your fluid intake. But skip the sugar-sweetened beverages.
• Dress for the weather. That means lightweight, loose-fitting clothes to help keep yourself cool, especially if you plan to spend time outside.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages. Alcohol has a diuretic effect, so drinking alcoholic beverages will make you need to urinate more frequently, and you’ll wind up losing fluids.
• Check your blood sugar levels frequently. This includes before and after activities like exercise, which affects your blood sugar levels regardless of the weather. Hot weather can make your blood glucose levels fluctuate even more than you might realize.
• If you’re going to be outside, stay in the shade as much as possible. The heat index can be quite a bit higher in direct sunlight, so opt for the shade where it’s a little cooler.
• Exercise indoors in air-conditioned spaces. You’ll be less vulnerable to heat and humidity. Or if you really love to exercise outside, fit in a workout in the early morning hours when it’s a little cooler.
• Know your medications. Carefully read all the instructions for your medications so you’ll be aware of any warnings about heat.
• Be prepared. Keep urine ketone tests on hand if you have type 1 diabetes and use insulin, since you may be at risk for developing a complication known as diabetic ketoacidosis.

Symptoms to look out for

If you have diabetes, you’ll want to monitor yourself for the possible development of symptoms of heat exhaustion, as well as hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia. Sometimes the symptoms can be similar, so you may want to keep an eye out for a range of symptoms, and when in doubt, seek medical care.

Heat exhaustion

Your body can overheat in response to hot weather and develop a condition known as heat exhaustion. Symptoms tend to include:

• drop in blood pressure
• feeling faint
• profuse sweating
• dizziness
• nausea
• headache
• weak and rapid pulse rate
• muscle cramping
• moist or cool skin even in high temperatures

While not as serious as heat stroke, heat exhaustion can pave the way for it, so don’t ignore these symptoms.

Hypoglycaemia

Hypoglycaemia occurs when your blood sugar drops to abnormally low levels. Officially, it occurs when your blood glucose levels fall below 70 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL).

Your risk for hypoglycaemia increases in the summer because your metabolism tends to run higher in hot, humid weather, and you’re more likely to absorb more insulin.

When hypoglycaemia develops, you may start feeling confused or develop blurred vision. Other symptoms include:

• anxiousness
• sweating
• tremors
• heart palpitations

In extreme cases, you may lose consciousness. Be sure to keep glucose tablets or another source of fast-acting carbohydrates on hand so you can take them right away if your blood sugar levels start to drop.

Hyperglycaemia

Hyperglycaemia ccurs when your blood glucose levels are too high. Your body either doesn’t have enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it has effectively.

You have hyperglycaemia if your blood sugar levels exceed 180 mg/dL after meals or hover above 130 mg/dL before you eat.

Feeling really thirsty or fatigued? Do you need to pee frequently? Those are common signs of hyperglycaemia. Of course, excessive thirst and fatigue can also develop as a result of dehydration. But either way, you don’t want to brush them off. Check your blood sugar levels and make sure you’re also drinking enough fluids.

When it’s an emergency

If you start developing signs that you are becoming dehydrated or having heat exhaustion, stop what you’re doing. Head indoors to a cool spot, drink some fluids to help you rehydrate, and check your blood sugar levels.

If your blood sugar levels have dropped below 70 mg/dL, remember the “15-15 rule,” suggests the American Diabetes Association. That is, consume 15 grams of carbs to raise your blood sugar levels and wait 15 minutes to test your levels again.

If your blood sugar levels are too high, quick-acting insulin can help counteract high blood sugar levels in many cases.

However, if your blood sugar levels are dangerously high, don’t wait. Have someone take you to the hospital. If you have low insulin levels, and very high blood sugar levels, you could go into diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a medical emergency.

The bottom line

Summer can be a marvellous time, but the heat and humidity can take their toll on people with diabetes.

It’s important to watch out for signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion, and keep close tabs on your blood glucose levels. Keep an ample supply of fluids, medications, and other supplies close by. That way you can reach for your medication, fast-acting carbohydrates, or other supplies as soon you need them.

https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/diabetes-and-heat