How to Avoid Heat Exhaustion with Type 2 Diabetes

Heat and living with type 2 diabetes do not mix well. Here’s how too much heat may affect you.

Heat doesn’t play nicely with a variety of health conditions, including diabetes. My father, who was living with diabetes most of his life, never liked being out during the heat of the day. Now I understand why.

The heat would make him feel funny — like his blood sugar was spiking — and he also never felt like he could cool off, likely due to issues with his sweat glands as a result of diabetes.

Hotter weather doesn’t mean you need to stop living your life, but knowing how it affects you and how to manage your health can help you cope.

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How does heat affect someone with type 2 diabetes?

Heat can exacerbate several underlying health conditions, including diabetes. The World Health Organization suggests the number of people exposed to extreme heat and heat-related deaths has increased worldwide in recent years.

Living with type 2 diabetes puts you at an increased risk of heat-related complications and issues people without diabetes may not need to worry as much about.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heat can cause fluctuations in your blood sugar levels due to changes in insulin behavior in the body. The CDC suggests taking extra care to track your blood sugar and adjust medications or foods.

Researchers in 2023 discovered that people living with type 2 diabetes and neuropathy can experience damaged sweat glands and the nerves that help trigger them. This can change how much you sweat, putting people at risk of overheating if their bodies cannot naturally cool themselves off.

Increased humidity can also affect sweat’s ability to cool you, which happens when it evaporates. When too much moisture is in the air, it evaporates slower, leading to an even greater chance your body will not be able to cool off naturally.

Living with type 2 diabetes may also increase your chances of dehydration. If you start to dehydrate, your blood sugar may spike.

Heat can even indirectly affect you through your medications and any medical equipment you use. You should store your medications and medical equipment in temperature-controlled areas or, in general, at room temperature.

Try not to leave your supplies in a hot car or in other areas where they might be exposed to heat for a long time. Packing a cooler or insulated bag with ice packs may help keep your medications and other supplies cool.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion needs immediate treatment. Often, you can treat it by moving to a shaded area or indoors and sipping cool water. Doing so can help prevent more serious complications, such as heatstroke.

Symptoms associated with heat exhaustion can mimic those associated with fluctuations in blood sugar levels, so make sure to check your blood sugar if you experience any of the following:

• dizziness
• muscle cramps
• headaches
• stomach cramps
• tiredness
• pale skin
• nausea
• vomiting

Tips to stay safe in the heat

Hot weather doesn’t mean you cannot get outside and enjoy yourself. You just want to use extra caution and take steps to protect yourself.

Here are some tips I’ve learned about:

• test your blood sugar regularly
• drink plenty of water and eat hydrating foods
• during the hottest hours of the day, stay inside
• store supplies, medications, and equipment out of the heat
• seek medical attention for heat-related illness
• make plans in case you lose power due to a thunderstorm or hurricane, including packing an emergency to-go bag
• wear loose, light clothing
• exercise earlier or later in the day, avoiding the hottest parts of the day, and make sure to bring along plenty of water

When to seek emergency care

Signs that heat exhaustion may be turning more serious include:

• convulsions
• confusion
• hallucinations
• rapid breathing

Seek emergency treatment if you or someone you’re with experiences any of these symptoms.

Takeaway

Living with type 2 diabetes can make you more likely to experience heat exhaustion. You may find your blood sugar does not stay consistent, you dehydrate rapidly, and your body cannot cool itself off as easily.

Taking precautions when storing medications and supplies in the heat is a good practice, too.

Living with type 2 diabetes doesn’t mean you need to avoid being in the heat altogether. Still, you’ll want to take steps to help ensure your safety, including drinking plenty of water and regularly checking your blood sugar levels.

If you feel like you’re getting overheated, rest in a cool place and sip water. If your symptoms worsen, seek emergency services immediately.