Simple Tips For People With Diabetes To Beat The Summer Heat & Avoid Heat-Related Illness

UnitedHealth Group urges people with diabetes in Cockeysville to take precautions during the expected summer heat wave

Everyone suffers during record heat waves, but for people with diabetes, extreme heat can present serious health consequences.  

People with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to heat and humidity because their bodies are less capable of adjusting to increases in temperature.  Nerve damage – a common effect of diabetes – affects sweat glands and other organs, making it harder for people with diabetes to cool down.

To help prevent serious heat-related illness, UnitedHealthGroup’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance (DPCA) urges people with diabetes in Maryland to take proper precautions during this heat wave.

• Avoid extended exposure to the sun.  Wear plenty of sun block to avoid sunburn, which can tax your body and cause blood glucose levels to rise.

• Check your blood sugar levels often.  Many people tend to be more active in the summer months, and changes in activity and heat levels can affect the insulin needs of people with diabetes.

• Drink plenty of water.  It is important to avoid dehydration, which places further stress on the body and affects glucose levels.

• Stay cool.  If possible, take breaks from the heat in air-conditioned areas or designated cooling centers.

• Keep medication and supplies as cool as possible, and away from direct sunlight.  Extreme temperatures can cause insulin and other supplies to break down or become less potent.

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol in high temperatures.  Both alcohol and caffeine can increase the risk of dehydration for people with diabetes.

• Be alert for signs of heat exhaustion.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists these signals as common signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating; paleness; muscle cramps; tiredness; weakness; dizziness; headache; nausea or vomiting; and/or fainting.

“People with diabetes often have a reduced ability to sweat, which, in hot, humid weather, can further impair the body’s capacity to regulate sugar levels in the blood,” said Edward Koza, M.D., medical director for UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic. “It is critical that people with diabetes take steps to avoid potentially life-threatening heat-related illnesses.”

Dr. Koza advises that people with diabetes should be on the lookout for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke and seek medical attention right away if they experience symptoms.

The DPCA is an innovative partnership between UnitedHealth Group, YMCA of the USA and retail pharmacies including Walgreens, to fight type 2 diabetes.  The DPCA is based on research funded by the CDC and the National Institutes of Health demonstrating that lifestyle intervention and exercise can reduce the chances of developing diabetes.

To learn more about the DPCA and other diabetes resources offered by UnitedHealth Group, visit:www.unitedhealthgroup.com/diabetes.

About UnitedHealth Group 
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making health care work better.  With headquarters in Minnetonka, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which provides information and technology-enabled health services.  Through its businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 75 million people worldwide.  Visitwww.unitedhealthgroup.com for more information.