I agree that many people need
reminding for what to do during the heat of summer and then again
when winter comes around. I had intended to do one blog for summer and
winter, but why not for the entire year. The suggestions and tips do
vary somewhat by the season, but need to become second nature to
prevent loss of diabetes supplies to nature's whims and brutal
elements. Each season also has its own unique problems for your
health.
In thinking this over, I am surprised
at how many are applicable every day. Those with type 1 diabetes can
determine when they wish to take a pump vacation. Let's not mistake
that I live in the northern part of the USA and I am writing for this
area. The southern part of the USA will require some modifications
for hotter summers and milder winters. Others will have to adapt
this for where they live.
Staying hydrated is important
for all seasons. Too many people are lured into a false sense of
well-being except in summer when we know we must stay hydrated. It
is this false security that gets people into trouble in spring and
fall when they have been working outdoors. They think that they
don't need water as they have not been doing strenuous activity and
have been sweating very little. Little do they realize they have
been losing moisture to evaporation and because it is cooler or there
is a breeze that their system hasn't needed to create sweat.
Don't think you need to worry about
drinking water in the winter? That false sense of security will
cause you damage and dehydration problems. Most people do not
realize how hard it is to walk in snow, shovel snow, or just how much
they sweat just moving around outside. With today's clothing,
moisture may be wicked away from the skin and you will not feel wet
until you are back inside and removing layers. When you come to the
wet clothing, just realize that you may be more dehydrated than you
realize.
You may not need to drink as much water
in the fall, winter, and spring as you do in the summer, but
dehydration is just as possible and in some ways more dangerous
because you think you are not dehydrated. This article about
electric fan use in the summer heat is very interesting about the
dangers involved for the very young and elderly.
Analyze the feelings or symptoms
is especially important in the summer when you may think you are
experiencing hypoglycemia, but the symptoms might just as easily be
heat exhaustion or on the verge of sunstroke. First get to an air
conditioned area if one is available and have a good drink of water.
If an air-conditioned building is not available, get to a shaded area
and make sure that you are not constricted by heavy clothing or
unable to pull the blouse or shirt out of jeans, skirt, or pants to
allow for easier evaporation. Test your blood glucose to help you
determine if you are low. If this is correct, definitely chew on a
glucose tablet and retest in 15 minutes. Otherwise make plans to get
to an air conditioned facility or hospital as soon as reasonably
possible. Heat or sunstroke is a medical emergency and should be
dealt with immediately.
Yes, you probably may not experience
heat exhaustion during the winter, but during the spring and fall,
hot days do happen. Always be prepared.
Wear appropriate footwear is
very important. This means probably different footwear for the
different seasons and where you will be. Because of blood glucose
levels, many people must wear proper footwear to prevent injury and
having the injury become infected. This is important for healing
when injury could have been prevented. Too many people like to wear
nothing on their feet during the summer months whether inside or
outside. All it takes a shard of glass, a nail, or other sharp
object to do the damage, and if you have neuropathy or numbness in
your feet, you may not to notice that you have injured yourself.
Then if this area becomes infected, you may not catch it in time to
prevent proper healing and this can be when the fear of amputation
sets in.
Keep diabetes supplies in
appropriate containers is sound advice. The container that holds
your test strips keeps them fresh and ready to use. Avoid exposing
the container and the test strips to direct sunlight and prevent
moisture from getting into the container. Depending on where you
are, consider keeping the container of test strips in a zip lock bag
and the bag in a cooler with ice packs or a Frio container. Also
keep you meter out of direct sunlight and in the same manner as the
test strips. Always store the test strips between 36° Fahrenheit
and 90° F (2° Celsius to 32° C). Do not expose the test strips to
heat, moisture, or humidity. Temperatures outside the required
ranges, as well as moisture and humidity, can damage the test strips
and lead to inaccurate results.
Insulin that is unopened should be
stored in the refrigerator between 36–46°F (2–8°C). If the
insulin becomes frozen, it must be destroyed. Once the vial has been
opened, it may be stored at room temperature below 86°F (30°C).
Keep the vial in a place away from direct sunlight and heat. Do not
use after 28 days once the vile is opened. For carrying insulin
vials or insulin pens outside, use a cooler with ice packs or a Frio
container. In the winter, use insulated packs for carrying insulin
as insulin cannot be frozen, and if frozen it must be destroyed.
Oral medications should also be
protected from direct sunlight and moisture. Some oral medications
have specific storage instruction. Therefore carefully read the
instructions that come with your oral medications, or have a long
talk with your pharmacist for specifics. Read this for safety tips on
insulin and syringes.
Wear appropriate clothing for
the season. Protect yourself from sunburn during the entire
year. We are all aware of the late spring through early fall, but
sunburn also happens in the winter when the sun reflects off the
snow. If you are outside for an extended period of time, beware of
sunburn. Protect yourself from frostbite during the coldest part of
winter.
Rules for driving are important
to know as each state is different and the doctors in each state may
have different reporting requirements for people with diabetes. So
learn as much as you can about the rules in your state. Many states
require doctors to report hypoglycemic tendencies and evaluate your
risk for doing the testing and maintaining of safe blood glucose
levels while driving. Some states maintain records of accidents
caused by hypoglycemia and do suspend driving privileges for these
accidents. If you are a person that has hypoglycemia frequently,
always be sure to test before you start driving. It is always good
to test before driving if you have type 1 diabetes or are a type 2 on
insulin or sulfonylureas or the other oral medications that cause
hypoglycemia.
For the applicable laws of your state,
please read this.
Suggestions for exercising are
not something to be taken lightly. Too many people do not discuss
exercising regimens with their doctor and get themselves in danger
for not having routines that are safe for their health condition.
Most doctors will encourage exercise and offer suggestions for safe
exercise. They will also do tests to assist in determining the
limits, if any, that need to be in place for the season or the
location for the exercise. It is important to know your blood
glucose before you exercise and I have written about this here. More
safety tips for exercising may be read here.
Tips for skin care are important
in any season. People with diabetes are very susceptible to many
skin problems. Thirty three percent of people with diabetes can
expect the have a skin disorder caused by or affected by diabetes
some time in their lives. If a skin condition is caught early it can
be easily treated and many skin conditions can be prevented. Read this for more information.
Some skin conditions anyone can have,
but people with diabetes get more easily. These include bacterial
infections, fungal infections, and itching. Other skin problems
happen mostly or only to people with diabetes. These include diabetic
dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, diabetic blisters,
and eruptive xanthomatosis.
Tips for foot care can be
important all the time. Everyone should have good foot care, but for
people with diabetes, a daily self-care routine is a must habit. If
you have feet or leg nerve damage (neuropathy), you may have an
injury and not realize it. This is why a daily check is so important
to discover small cuts or wounds before they become infected.
Too many people ignore this advice and
wonder why they develop serious problems or complications – leading
to amputations. About 85% of amputations could be prevented if the
patient has it treated early. For more information please read this.
Safety tips for summer – read this.
Safety tips for winter – read this.
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