{"id":9023,"date":"2025-06-18T05:16:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T09:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/type1support.ca\/summer-and-type-1-diabetes-how-does-the-heat-affect-my-diabetes\/"},"modified":"2025-06-18T14:05:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T18:05:38","slug":"summer-and-type-1-diabetes-how-does-the-heat-affect-my-diabetes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/type1support.naracreative.com\/en\/summer-and-type-1-diabetes-how-does-the-heat-affect-my-diabetes\/","title":{"rendered":"Why and How Does Heat Impact Diabetes?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Some aspects of how temperature affects diabetes management are known in part, but further studies are necessary to know precisely what impact it has. Discover how heat can influence blood sugar and diabetes management, plus some tips on how to adjust to summer weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Impact on blood sugar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Heat can dilate the blood vessels, which speeds up insulin absorption. In turn, this can cause hypoglycemia, especially if you are physically active on hot days, including when you\u2019re outside. What\u2019s more, if you do physical activity under a blazing sun, this effect can be amplified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since prolonged sun exposure increases the risk of sunburn, which causes stress to the body and raises blood sugar, it is recommended to stay in shaded areas and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen; this will help protect your skin and minimize the impact on your health and blood sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heat not only increases blood sugar, but also the risk of dehydration. When in hyperglycemia, the body eliminates excess sugar through urine, and this loss of liquid can increase the risk of dehydration. The risk is especially high on hot and humid days when sweat alone can\u2019t cool off the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insulin and devices: how does heat affect the tools you use to manage diabetes?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Insulin loses efficiency when exposed to extreme temperatures. Unopened insulin must be kept at a temperature between 2 and 8 \u00b0C in the refrigerator, and opened insulin can be kept at room temperature (between 13 and 26 \u00b0C). However, excess heat or prolonged sun exposure can speed up insulin degradation, which makes it less efficient. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, it is important to never leave your insulin pump or insulin exposed to the heat (e.g., in full sun, in a car). Heat can also affect the efficiency of other tools such as test strips and capillary blood sugar meters. Make sure to regularly check the manufacturer\u2019s recommendations to ensure your supplies work adequately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for optimal management in summer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n