★SEEN recommends more consistent glycemic control for people with diabetes during the summer.

The Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN) warns that the main cause of poor glycemic control in people with diabetes during the summer is the change in habits, especially in terms of nutrition. “Higher consumption of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks means higher caloric and carbohydrate intake, which will immediately lead to a lack of glycemic control and, in the medium term, to an increase in body fat and excess weight,” emphasizes Dr. Manuel Gargallo, member of the SEEN diabetes community. Therefore, people with diabetes must ensure that the drinks they drink are low in calories and do not contain alcohol or have a “00” rating. It is also very important to stay hydrated, so they should drink plenty of water or infusions daily, with ice if desired.

Likewise, an increase in consumption of drinks outside the home is usually accompanied by snacks and snacks, which also contribute to a lack of control, so a doctor specializing in endocrinology and nutrition emphasizes that it is extremely important to maintain some control over the consumption of drinks outside the home. consumption to compensate for “extra services.” “They can eat snacks or snacks with dietary cuts for lunch or dinner,” he notes. Glycemic control is also vital because it signals the need for changes in treatment at this time.

Risk of dehydration

Heat and high temperatures may affect these patients differently. Therefore, according to a member of the SEEN Diabetes Unit, people with diabetes are prone to dehydration: “If they are not well controlled, they may urinate a lot, and if the heat causes them to sweat profusely, if these losses are not compensated for by significant fluid intake, the risk of dehydration is very high.” great This risk is higher in older people with diabetes or those who have any kidney disease.” In addition, the effect of some medications (glucosurics) is to increase urine output, which also increases the risk of dehydration in the summer.

On the other hand, although summer tends to involve more exercise, heat limits the ability of people with diabetes to exercise, so it can lead to a sedentary lifestyle that contributes to poor glycemic control. In this sense, the endocrinologist emphasizes that physical activity in people with diabetes has great benefits, such as reducing cardiovascular risk, since it is the main cause of death in these patients. In addition, it helps control weight and prevent obesity, promotes glycemic control, prevents and combats the development of sarcopenia, which is more common in people with diabetes, and also has positive effects from a psychological point of view and quality of life. Therefore, these patients should try to maintain an active lifestyle despite high temperatures and take advantage of cooler hours for walking or swimming.

Insulin is a heat-sensitive drug

On the other hand, people with diabetes are more susceptible to “heat stroke,” when they are exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time, because their biological control of their adaptation mechanisms to extreme temperatures is altered and they are more sensitive to heat. The expert insists that insulin is a heat-sensitive drug that may lose its effectiveness if the temperature at which it is exposed is very high. “You shouldn’t leave it in the car for hours in the sun or in a window,” he says.

Older adults with diabetes are at greater risk of dehydration and are more sensitive to heat, and if they have any cognitive impairment, the likelihood of acute decompensation is significant. “For this reason, this population should drink at least two liters of fluid per day and not expose themselves to high temperatures for too long,” Dr. Gargallo concludes.

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Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN)