Do you have diabetes?

Are you worried about how you are going to deal with the heat this summer?

Follow these tips to stay safe in hot weather:

1.Drink plenty of water.

People with diabetes get dehydrated (lose too much water from their bodies) more quickly. Not drinking enough liquids can raise blood sugar, and high blood sugar can make you urinate more, causing dehydration.

2. Test your blood sugar often.

High temperatures can change how your body uses insulin. You may need to test your blood sugar more often and adjust your insulin dose and what you eat and drink.

3. Keep medicines, supplies, and equipment out of the heat.

-Don’t store insulin or oral diabetes medicine in direct sunlight or in a hot car. Check package information about how high temperatures can affect insulin and other medicines.

-If you’re traveling, keep insulin and other medicines in a cooler. Don’t put insulin directly on ice or on a gel pack.

-Heat can damage your blood sugar monitor, insulin pump, and other diabetes equipment. Don’t leave them in a hot car, by a pool, in direct sunlight, or on the beach. The same goes for supplies such as test strips.

4. Stay inside where it’s cool.

-Stay inside in air-conditioning when it’s hottest.

-Schedule outdoor activities during the cooler hours of the day, such as early morning or late evening.

Alternatively, consider walking in a shopping mall or department store.

5. Wear loose, light clothing.

When humidity is high, your sweat can't evaporate as well. Wear clothing that allows sweat to evaporate easily.

6. Get medical attention for heat-related illness.

In case of Deterioration in existing medical conditions, Heat Rash, Heat cramps, Dizziness and fainting, Heat exhaustion, Heatstroke – this is a medical emergency and requires urgent attention

7. Make a plan in case you lose power. 

8. Have a go-bag ready for emergencies.