To some the warm weather of summer means fun in the sun but to diabetics it can mean trouble. Humidity and heat can affect summer diabetes management and treatment making it hard to stay at the level you need. Follow this checklist this summer to make the most of the summer holiday.
Always stay hydrated. This is the most important thing and should always be at the top of the list. When dehydrated, blood sugars can raise to dangerously high levels. The best drink is water. Keep a bottle with you at all times. Club soda or seltzer water with lemon or a splash of fruit juice is the second best option. Avoid caffeinated drinks or drinks sweetened with sugar. If advised by doctor to limit fluid intake, ask for tips on how to stay hydrated. Water is important for summer diabetes care.
Everyone protects their skin when going outside during the summer, but what about your eyes? Eye protection is just as important as skin protection during the summer!
Always wear proper eyewear when outside. Look for sunglasses that are labeled to take in 99 to 100 percent of UV light. Dark lenses do not guarantee UV protection. Sunglasses that wrap around are the best style because they don't allow any sun to hit your eyes.
The weather is getting warmer and that means visits to your local pool. A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that each year, thousands of Americans are injured due to chemicals that are designed to keep the pools clean.
Chlorine has been used as a water disinfectant since the 1700s when it was used to clean the water supply after cholera outbreaks and can be dangerous if not handled properly.