The summer months are drawing near and that means no school, summer vacations and longer days.
Changes to schedules can wreak havoc on blood glucose levels which can be dangerous for those living with diabetes.
Summer Schedules
It’s very easy to get off schedule when traveling, especially when changing time zones. Traveling to different times zones forces changes to schedules which can put our bodies in a state of flux. Combine that with changes to mealtimes, sleeping patterns and daily activity levels and it could be a recipe for disaster. It’s also important to remember medication and dosing during schedule changes. A slight change in time can affect blood glucose levels and cause fluctuations.
Too many changes happening at once can cause severe spikes in blood glucose levels. It can also weaken the immune system and affect focus. When traveling, diabetes patients need to pay more attention to these fluctuations and monitor levels more closely.
Summer Heat
Summer can mean scorching temperatures which is why during the summer months it’s important to stay hydrated. Dehydration can cause blood sugar to rise as glucose in the blood becomes more concentrated. The higher temps can also cause blood vessels to dilate, increase insulin absorption, and cause fluctuations in blood sugar. It is recommended that diabetes patients stay inside on the hottest days and monitor blood sugar levels closely throughout the heat of summer.
Because of the warm weather, the summer season is a more active time for exercise and outdoor activities. “For people who have diabetes, the benefits of an active lifestyle can’t be overstated. Exercise helps control weight, lower blood pressure, lower harmful LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, raise healthy HDL cholesterol, strengthen muscles and bones, reduce anxiety, and improves general well-being.”1 At the same time, exercise and increased activity can cause fluctuations in blood sugar so monitoring and maintaining healthy levels is key.
Summer Eating
Summer brings picnics, family reunions, and meals in new locations. Summer menus are filled with new foods, especially if you’re traveling to new locations.
Balancing food choices during the summer and during any change in schedule is key in managing blood sugar levels and controlling highs and lows. Monitoring daily food intake doesn’t have to mean living without. It just means re-balancing portions and budgeting food intake with healthier substitutions to help control blood glucose levels and better manage diabetes.
The Summer Season and Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems
Tracking summer changes to diet, schedules and extreme temperatures is hard to do alone. Having the support of a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System through the summer is the key to staying in control. Staying ahead of fluctuations and being prepared is critical during the summer months and anytime there is a change in schedules.
A Continuous Glucose Monitoring device helps by taking glucose readings on set intervals. A trend arrow tells users what direction glucose is heading and the speed in which it is moving so patients can plan what to do next.
Knowing how food, increased activity and hot temps will affect blood glucose levels is a big mystery when it comes to diabetes management. A Continuous Glucose Monitor gives users the freedom to know exactly how glucose levels will be affected. That knowledge is power and can help plan the rest of the meals and activities throughout the summer break so glucose levels can be kept in check at all times, even while sleeping. CGMs help to bring the fun back into summer and gives patients the freedom to enjoy all the season has to offer.
Spend the Summer with Quest Health Solutions
Every season may seem difficult when living with diabetes, but it doesn’t have to be. While the factors that cause blood glucose levels can feel uncontrollable, a Continuous Glucose Monitor can help. It takes daily effort, continual education and a strong support system, but enjoying every moment of summer is possible thanks to Continuous Glucose Monitors.
At Quest Health Solutions, we are here to help patients, healthcare providers and diabetes educators keep diabetes under control. To learn more about how Continuous Glucose Monitors can be used to control blood glucose fluctuations during every season, contact us at 1-800-993-9996, email ben@questhealthsolutions.com or schedule an appointment today.
1. Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School (2020). Available at click here accessed on 7 May 2022.