What issues do you need to pay attention to in summer with diabetes?

According to the summer climate characteristics, diabetic patients should also make corresponding adjustments, paying special attention to the following points.

1. Prevent dehydration: You sweat more in summer, lose more water, and your blood is concentrated, which can easily increase blood sugar, so you should pay attention to proper replenishment of water. In most cases, more than 1500ml of water should be added every day. However, it is not advisable to drink too many sugary drinks, nor to consume too many cold drinks or cold foods. Warm water or light tea should be the main drink.

2. Keep exercising: It has also been clinically proven that appropriate exercise is very beneficial to maintaining stable blood sugar levels and reducing complications. Summer is hot, and if you relax and exercise, it can easily cause blood sugar to rise or fluctuate. Of course, when the temperature is too high, the exercise method and amount must be appropriately adjusted. Walking, swimming, etc. are generally chosen. Be careful not to exercise under the hot sun, appropriately reduce the amount of exercise, and avoid exercising on an empty stomach. In short, it is necessary to not interrupt exercise and keep blood sugar levels stable; but also to prevent heat stroke, hypoglycemia and dehydration.

3. Don’t forget to take care of your feet: Feet sweat more in summer and are prone to “athlete’s foot” or skin ulcers. At this time, you should actively seek medical treatment and do not take it lightly. Small ulcers on the foot skin of diabetic patients may lead to secondary infection, which is difficult to control.

4. Eat more fruits appropriately: Patients whose blood sugar is basically under control can eat fruits appropriately between meals or after exercise. Because many fruits contain more trace elements, especially chromium, they are very helpful in improving the hypoglycemic activity of insulin. However, it is generally not advisable to eat more fruits containing more glucose such as grapes, bananas, lychees, and dates. You can choose pears, peaches, strawberries, and watermelons (50 to 100g per day).

5. Monitor the condition. Blood sugar is easy to change in summer, so monitoring should be strengthened. Fasting blood sugar should be maintained at 4.5~6.0mmol/L; postprandial blood sugar should be stable at 5.5~8.0mmol/L. If the target cannot be met, communicate with the doctor and adjust the treatment plan in a timely manner.

6. Prevent colds and diarrhea: Diabetic patients have reduced anti-infection ability. Once upper respiratory tract infection or gastroenteritis occurs, not only will recovery be slow, but it will also interfere with metabolism and cause other diseases.