6 Ways Summer Can Mess with Diabetes

June 8, 2023| Updated: June 23, 2023
Summer and Diabetes

June 8, 2023—Summer is a season of fun—but it can also make diabetes more challenging to manage. Here are six reasons for that, along with tips to help you keep diabetes in check all summer long.

1. Warmer temps can change how the body uses insulin, possibly resulting in blood sugar highs or lows.

Stay summer-safe: To stay on track, test your blood sugar more often when it's hot.

2. Diabetes increases the risk of dehydration. You can lose water through frequent urination, possibly leading to dehydration. As a result, your blood sugar may become more concentrated, and you could have trouble staying in a healthy range.

Stay summer-safe: Remember to drink plenty of water when it's warmer out—even before you feel thirsty.

3. Sunburns can raise your blood sugar. Sun damage stresses your body, which, in turn, can boost your blood sugar.

Stay summer-safe: Protect your skin and your blood sugar by choosing a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

2. Hot days can cause heat illness. Many people with diabetes have nerve and blood vessel problems that can make it harder for the body to cool down through sweating. This may raise their risk of heat illness, including heatstroke.

Stay summer-safe: To avoid overheating during your workout, exercise when it's cooler out (mornings or evenings) or walk in a shopping mall.

5. The heat can weaken insulin. Temperatures of 93 degrees Fahrenheit or higher can make insulin less effective, the JDRF warns. Supplies (like test strips) and equipment (including insulin pumps) also may be heat-sensitive.

Stay summer-safe: On long car rides, keep your medicine in a cooler (but not directly on ice). Never store insulin or your supplies or equipment in direct sunlight or in the trunk of a car.

6. Vacations can upset diabetes routines. Summer travel can be a welcome change from the daily grind. But skipped meals, new foods and extra exercise may affect your blood sugar control.

Stay summer-safe:

  • See your doctor for a preflight checkup. Make sure your diabetes is under control before you go, and find out if your travel plans could affect your diabetes. Changing time zones? You may need to adjust your insulin dose. Learn more about diabetes and air travel.
  • Pack wisely. For instance, bring twice as much medicine and supplies as you'll need, along with a prescription in case you run out. Hitting the road this summer? Pack some healthy snacks and plenty of water.
  • Life should be enjoyed in moderation, but do your best to follow your diabetes meal plan. Remember to check your blood sugar before and after trying new foods and activities to see how they affect you. It's possible to make healthy food choices even at restaurants.
  • Keep your shoes on, even at the beach. If you have nerve damage, cuts and scrapes may go unnoticed and become infected.

Ready for extreme summer

When the heat is on, power outages are possible. And disasters can strike throughout the year. Here's how to prepare for disasters when you have diabetes.

Sources

    Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona (AZ Blue) is contracted with Medicare to offer HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage plans and PDP plans. Enrollment in AZ Blue plans depends on contract renewal.

    AZ Blue offers BlueJourney PPO Medicare Advantage plans. AZ Blue Advantage, a separate but wholly owned subsidiary of AZ Blue, offers Best Blue Life Classic and Plus HMO plans.

    You are eligible to enroll in a AZ Blue Medicare Supplement plan if you are age 65 or older, entitled to Medicare Part A, and enrolled in Medicare Part B, and you live in the plan service area. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premiums (and Part A, if applicable), if not otherwise paid for by Medicaid or another third party. During the first six months when you are age 65 and also enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B you cannot be denied a Medicare Supplement plan when you apply for one, regardless of health status.

    Health Choice Pathway HMO D-SNP is a Health Plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in Health Choice Pathway HMO D-SNP depends on contract renewal. Health Choice Pathway Member Services can be reached at 1-800-656-8991, TTY: 711, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week.

    Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue) and Health Choice Arizona (HCA) comply with applicable federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. We provide free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as qualified interpreters and written information in other formats such as large print and accessible electronic formats. We also provide free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as qualified interpreters and written information in other languages. If you need these services call 1-800-446-8331 (TTY: 711) for AZ Blue Medicare Advantage or 1-833-229-3593 (TTY: 711) for AZ Blue Blue MedicareRx (PDP) or 1-800-656-8991 (TTY: 711) for HCA.

    Member Services can be reached at 480-937-0409 (in Arizona) or at our toll-free phone number at 1-800-446-8331 (TTY users should call 711). Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday from April 1 to September 30; and 7 days a week from October 1 to March 31. Member Services also has free language interpreter services available for non-English speakers.

    OptumRx® is an independent company providing prescription mail order services.

    Spanish (AZ Blue): ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-446-8331 (TTY: 711).

    Navajo (AZ Blue): Díí baa akó nínízin: Díí saad bee yάnílti’ go Diné Bizaad, saad bee άkά’ άnída’ άwo’ dę͗ę͗, t’άά jiik’eh, éí nά hóló̖, kojí̖ hódíílnih 1-800-446-8331 (TTY: 711).

    Spanish (HCA): ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-656-8991 (TTY: 711).

    Navajo (HCA): Díí baa akó nínízin: Díí saad bee yάnílti’ go Diné Bizaad, saad bee άkά’ άnída’ άwo’ dę͗ę͗, t’άά jiik’eh, éí nά hóló̖, kojí̖ hódíílnih 1-800-656-8991 (TTY: 711).