Health Matters with Dr. Sanjay Gupta |  

Diabetes And Heat Don't Go Together

Diabetics are more vulnerable to the heat — and so are their medications.

Diabetes makes it harder for the body to cool itself, so diabetics need to be even more aware of the early signs of heat illness, such as heat stroke.

Muscle cramps, wooziness, or nausea on a hot day are signs that you need to get into a cool place and rehydrate.

“Not only do they have to worry about their health, they also have to worry about the impact of the hot weather on their equipment, their medications and their supplies,” says Curtiss Cook, MD, of the Mayo Clinic.

Insulin is less effective in the heat, so diabetics may choose to leave their insulin at home on very hot days. The test strips in blood-sugar meters may also be affected by the heat.

Diabetics don’t have to be summertime hermits, but they need to take extra precautions: Carry water, wear a hat and sunscreen, and be alert for early signs of trouble.