Kinkini Gupta
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Written By: Kinkini Gupta | Updated : May 27, 2024 12:07 PM IST
Diabetes Management: How To Regulate Blood Sugar Levels Naturally Amidst Heatwave?
North India has been battling tremendous heatwave in the last ten days. For the first time in history, one part of Delhi recorded 47 degree Celsius last Friday while other parts did not go below 45. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recently issues a red alert to the resident of North India issuing a warning that temperatures in the upcoming days may go beyond 47 degree Celsius.
Heatwaves not only make it difficult to function and work properly but also may trigger health conditions in some people for instance, high blood sugar. Heatwaves can cause heat stroke, exacerbate heart diseases and cause high blood pressure. You may not be aware of this but heatwaves can also affect blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Many a times diabetes patients find it very difficult to manage their disease due to the heat and dehydration. What steps can you take to prevent that?
Here are some day to day steps that you can take up to manage blood sugar levels naturally:
A diabetes patient should always track their blood glucose levels. This is how you can avert accidents. During peak summers, this step is even more essential especially if you have to stay outdoors for very long hours or your work demands labour under direct sun.
The trick to surviving a heatwave and keeping your blood sugar in check is by staying hydrated. You can stay hydrated by drinking lots of fresh fruits juice, eating fruits, drinking water and tender coconut water. But, make sure to not drink juice containing artificial sugar because that will spike your blood sugar.
One of the reasons behind blood sugar spike is chronic stress. Stress can happen due to many reasons one of them being skin problems caused by exposure to high temperatures. Sunburn or sun rash is very common during a heat wave however, it can stress you out and thereby also impact blood glucose levels. Make sure to keep your skin protected and stress levels low.
You may notice that you are either too hungry or not hungry at all lately. Why? The answer is the heatwave. Heatwaves tend to impact your appetite severely. You may end up eating too much or eating nothing all day. Neither are good for your health and it may lead to blood sugar spike. So, make sure to follow a balanced diet, eat all your meals and eat light and easily digestible food.
Do not expose yourself too much to direct sunlight, stay in the shade or opt for staying indoors.
If you are diabetic, you must keep a kit at all times. The kit should contain all the necessary items such as glucose tablets or gel, snacks, insulin, syringes or insulin pens, a blood glucose meter, and emergency contact information.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not vetted by an expert. Please consult a doctor if your blood sugar levels are abnormally high during the ongoing heatwave.
Disclaimer: The content on TheHealthSite.com is only for informational purposes. It is not at all professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a healthcare specialist for any questions regarding your health or a medical condition.