SEVEN TIPS TO AVOID HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES THIS SUMMER FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES

Summer can be a great time to get in shape and enjoy the outdoors, but people with diabetes should take extra measures to avoid serious, heat-related illnesses. Diabetes can impair a person's ability to sweat, which means that hot, humid weather can dangerously reduce the body's capacity to regulate blood sugar levels. It is critical that people with this disease take proper precautions this summer to avoid potentially life-threatening conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Here are seven simply safety precautions for summer:

• Check your blood sugar levels often. Many people tend to be more active in the summer months, and changes in activity and heat levels can affect the body's insulin needs.




• Avoid sunburn. Wear plenty of sunblock to avoid sunburn, which can tax your body and cause blood glucose levels to rise.




• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, which will place further stress on your body and affect glucose levels.




• Stay cool. If possible, take breaks from the heat in air-conditioned areas or designated cooling centers. Make sure to exercise in an air-conditioned place.




• Avoid caffeine and alcohol in high temperatures. Alcohol and caffeine can increase the risk of dehydration for people with diabetes.




• Keep medication and supplies as cool as possible, and away from direct sunlight. Extreme temperatures can affect insulin and other supplies, and can cause them to break down or become less potent.




• Be alert for signs of heat exhaustion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists these signals as common signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and/or fainting.

source: http://www.marketwatch.com/