Preparing for hot weather and travel with diabetes this summer
DRWF offers all you need to know for coping with the warmer temperatures as well as events, resources and guidance to stay cool with diabetes as it is getting hotter.
What to look out for in hot weather and how to minimise risks to your diabetes self-management on holiday, or out in the sun.
As we can expect rising temperatures over for the summer months, Dr Mayank Patel, Consultant Physician in Diabetes University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and DRWF Editorial Advisory Board member, provides tips to manage your diabetes in hot weather.
Diabetes management in hot weather
- Check glucose levels regularly, as increased physical activity and hot weather can increase the risk of hypos (hypoglycaemia, or low blood glucose levels).
- Wear plenty of sun block (and a hat) to avoid sunburn, as this can harm your body and cause elevated blood glucose levels. This is particularly important if you have neuropathy and as a result have altered sensation, meaning that you may not feel if sunburn is developing.
- Investing in good quality sunglasses is also important to reduce the impact of bright light on eyes, especially if known to have eye problems already.
- Keep fluid levels up whilst avoiding excess caffeine and alcohol in high temperatures, as these can increase the risk of dehydration.
- Take great care of your feet – don’t walk barefoot, particularly on hot sand and seek help early if problems arise.
- Keep medication and supplies as cool as possible.
- Extreme temperatures can affect insulin and other supplies, causing them to become less active.
- Be “hypo aware” – carry extra supplies with you and be sure to let friends and family know how to respond if this happens.
- Extra sweating can cause problems with wearable diabetes related equipment, such as continuous glucose monitoring devices and insulin pump cannulas. You can purchase stickers and adhesives which help them stay in place.
- Be alert for signs of heat exhaustion. These include profuse sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness, dizziness, headache and/or fainting. Symptoms can be similar to those of hypoglycaemia.
Seek medical attention immediately if any of these happen.
Diabetes Travel Checklist
Our Diabetes Travellers Checklist is available FREE on request. We provide these valuable tools to ensure that people with diabetes are well prepared for their journey and enjoy a safe and happy trip. As a charity that exists largely on fundraised income and voluntary donations, a contribution towards the cost of providing this useful tool, is very much appreciated.
To find out more and request a copy of the DRWF pre-travel checklist for passengers with diabetes click here
Diabetes and Travelling Webinar
Planes, Trains, Boats and Automobiles
Tuesday, 6th May 6th – 7.30pm to 9pm
Your “passport” to safe travels, essential planning and “insuring” your holidays are a sweet success.
Join us for this special summer holiday edition of our webinar series where will discuss everything you need to know about travelling safely with diabetes.
The webinar will include guidance on planning for...
- Before you go
- While you are away
- When you are coming home
- Questions and answers session
- Signposting to helpful resources
Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and take control of your diabetes management!
Dr Mayank Patel, Consultant Physician in Diabetes University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and DRWF Editorial Advisory Board member, and Meghan Boyes, Diabetes Clinical Nurse Specialist, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, will discuss everything you need to know and plan for when hitting the road, jumping on a plane or sailing off into the sunset for your holidays and the many other reasons we need to travel.
They will be joined by DRWF's own Lee Calladine and Claire Levy, both people living with diabetes to get a personal insight and lived experience of what it's like planning for a trip, check lists, diabetes supplies, spares and what to pack, airport and other security checks, NHS letters, insurance and other important documents, the dos and do nots of hand-luggage and hold-luggage and much, much more.
For more information about this event visit here
Register your FREE place here
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