Blood Sugar Challenges in Summer Heat and Diabetes Management

Summer is a great time to make new memories and spend time with your loved ones, but the heat and humidity aren't always ideal. Not only can extreme heat be uncomfortable, but it also has the potential to affect your blood sugar levels and how you manage your diabetes. To make sure that you're doing what you can to stay in control and enjoy the season safely, here are a few challenges of managing diabetes in the summer and diabetes care tips to overcome them.

How Summer Affects Blood Sugar

Many people with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and other types of diabetes may find that they experience both lower lows and higher highs of blood sugar levels during the summer. These fluctuations are typically more extreme than in mild weather, as heat can affect blood sugar control. Here are some specifics on how summer can impact people with diabetes.

Heat and Its Impact on Insulin Sensitivity

In hot weather, your body is put under more stress than usual, which can affect how your body processes blood sugar. An increase in cortisol can trigger the liver to release stored glucose, thus increasing blood sugar. Heat also causes your blood vessels to expand, which increases circulation and speeds up how quickly insulin is absorbed.

Dehydration and Changes in Blood Glucose Levels

When you're dehydrated, there’s less fluid (and electrolytes) in your bloodstream, which can cause your blood sugar levels to become more concentrated. This can lead to hyperglycemia, and in more severe cases, increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Hot weather can increase this risk, as you are at a higher risk of dehydration in elevated heat indexes.

The Role of Humidity

Hot, humid weather can put stress on the body and interfere with its ability to cool itself down. This has the potential to impact blood sugar levels, but may also increase your risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (a medical emergency).

Even on days when it doesn't seem too hot, high humidity levels can increase your body temperature. When you're planning outdoor activities during the summer, always check the heat index instead of just the temperature alone. This is a measure that combines both temperature and humidity to help you understand how the weather will affect your body.

The Relationship Between Sunburns and Blood Sugar

Sunburns also play a role in managing diabetes during the warmer months. When you get a sunburn, the sun damage causes stress to your body, often resulting in inflammation. This releases cortisol and, in turn, can raise your blood sugar levels. If the burn is particularly bad or painful, it can further add stress to the body, elevating blood sugar even more. Luckily, with a high SPF sunscreen, ongoing application, and limiting sun exposure during high UV hours, you can reduce your risk of sunburns.

Increased Physical Activity

The longer days and warmer weather often mean more time spent outdoors, whether it’s walking, biking, gardening, or enjoying a swim. While regular physical activity is a great way to support overall health and blood sugar management, it can also increase the risk of hypoglycemia, especially if you're more active than usual. Carrying fast-acting carbs or glycogen tablets and regularly testing your blood sugar before, during, and after exercise is essential.

Travel and Deviations from Your Routine

Many people utilize the summer months for travel, which can be an exciting change to your routine. However, these changes can also affect your typical schedule for managing blood sugar control, especially if you're traveling to different time zones or even abroad. Jet lag and disrupted sleep patterns can make it harder to maintain stable glucose levels, and inconsistent meal timing may lead to unexpected highs or lows. Make sure you sufficiently prepare for traveling with diabetes to enjoy your trip.

Summer Foods and Hidden Sugars

Summer is also a popular time of the year for BBQ, frozen treats, and high-sugar drinks. You can absolutely enjoy some of your seasonal favorites, just make sure to check your blood sugar and enjoy things in moderation. Then, when you're not at a social event or gathering, return to eating more foods that help support stable blood sugar levels.

How to Beat Summer Blood Sugar Challenges

Although managing diabetes in the heat may require some extra precautions, you can still enjoy summer and stay safe. Here are a few different tips for managing blood sugar during the warm summer months.

Be Strategic About Hydration

Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to keep your blood sugar levels stable during the summer. Hot weather increases fluid loss through sweat, which can lead to dehydration and cause blood sugar to become more concentrated. Make it a habit to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you're sweating a lot. You should also be mindful about drinks with added sugar and try to limit caffeine and alcohol, which can contribute to dehydration.

Monitor Blood Sugar Levels More Frequently

Since the heat, humidity, and changes in activity levels during the summer can make your blood glucose a bit more unpredictable, it's important to keep a close eye on things. This means checking your blood sugar more frequently than usual. Make it a habit to check before and after physical activity, meals, or long periods in the sun.

This will help you catch trends early and make any necessary adjustments to your insulin, medication, or food choices. If you use a CGM, double-check sensor adhesion and accuracy, especially on hot or humid days.

Protect and Store Insulin Properly

Extreme temperatures can affect the effectiveness of insulin, so take the time to protect and store it properly. If you're going to be out and about, make sure that you have the proper storage container, along with insulated cool packs, for your equipment. Test strips and other equipment can also be affected by high temperatures, so always be prepared if you're planning a day outside. Never leave medications in a hot car or direct sunlight, and regularly check to make sure your equipment is calibrated during hot days.

Be Mindful About Physical Activity

Although moving your body is a great way to stay fit and healthy, it's essential to be cognizant of how it can affect your blood sugar, especially during the summer. To reduce the risk of large fluctuations in glucose levels, try to schedule outdoor exercise during cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening. Wear a medical ID, bring fast-acting glucose (like glucose tabs or juice), and always test your blood sugar before and after any activity. If you're swimming or sweating heavily, be extra cautious with CGM or pump site adhesion.

Stick to a Flexible but Predictable Routine

There are so many different things that can throw off your routine during the summer, but that doesn't mean you should avoid enjoying yourself. Regardless of whether you're on a road trip or taking a trip to Greece, monitor your sugar levels and try to stick to a somewhat predictable routine. Aim to eat meals and take medications around the same time each day. And, if you're going to be traveling abroad, across several different time zones, talk to your doctor about how to adjust your schedule ahead of time to ease into the transition.

Know How Your Food and Drink Choices Affect Blood Sugar

Summer is filled with tempting treats, and it's perfectly fine to indulge now and then. One of the most important things is knowing how your food and drink choices can affect glucose levels, and what to do when fluctuations occur. You may also need to adjust your insulin or diabetes medications, depending on advice from your doctor.

Still, most of the time it's recommended to opt for lighter, lower-sugar alternatives like fresh fruit, unsweetened beverages, or Greek yogurt-based desserts. Be mindful of hidden sugars in condiments and dressings, and use tools like carb-counting apps or food logs when possible.

When to Call Your Doctor

If you notice unusual blood sugar swings, frequent lows or highs, or experience any signs of heat exhaustion, don't hesitate to contact your doctor. Your provider can help you adjust insulin dosages, medication timing, or your activity plan based on your summer schedule. A little planning can make a big difference in keeping you safe and healthy all season long.

Byram Healthcare is committed to helping people with diabetes make the most out of their summer. Order your healthcare products for diabetes from Byram today.