The science
For a person without medical problems, the body adapts to heat in two ways, said Dr. Natalie Williams, family medicine doctor at Austin Regional Clinic.
One way the body prevents overheating is through sweat production, she said. The sweat, which contains salt and water from the body, comes up to the skin, gets evaporated and helps the body cool down.
The body also deals with heat through processes happening in the blood vessels. Blood vessels can expand or shrink, reacting to chemicals that are present when people have heat in their body, she said. The blood vessels then disperse the heat throughout the body, such as bringing the heat up to the skin instead of keeping the heat internally.
However, because people with diabetes have excess sugar in their blood, that can disrupt the body’s natural cool-down mechanisms, Williams said.
People with diabetes are more likely to get dehydrated because of the excess sugar, meaning there may not be enough water in the body needed for sweat production. Additionally, some people with diabetes can have damaged blood vessels, preventing them from effectively cooling the body, she said.
The risks
Diabetic patients are more likely to experience heat-related illnesses faster because of the high sugars in the blood, Williams said. Especially in cases when sugar levels spike, the person with diabetes is more likely to feel thirsty, but is unable to effectively hydrate because the sugar in the body holds onto the water.
People with diabetes may also urinate more, she said, meaning they are getting rid of the water inside their body. The dehydration prevents them from getting cool and getting fluid in, leading to risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Heat exhaustion, which is often because of an inadequate amount of water in the body to produce sweat, can lead to dizziness, headache, nausea and other health impacts, Williams said.
Heat stroke can include symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, changes in mental state or behavior, rapid heart rate, headache and more, according to the Mayo Clinic. In more severe cases, heat stroke can lead to organ failure, Williams said.
Williams said that high temperature impacts on diabetes will impact people across Texas. She said that humidity can also impact one’s ability to cool down because the moisture in the air prevents effective evaporation, preventing the body from effectively sweating.
Looking into Austin, she said people, both diabetic and nondiabetic, should consider if their location has access to adequate cooling resources, such as shade or air conditioning.
“If you are in the middle of downtown or you're going to be on the east side, there's not as much shade as there would be,” she said. “If you're in the middle of Zilker [Park], it's hard to get to an AC, but there's plenty of space for shade.”
Williams said that she anticipates an increased risk for heat-related illnesses in the coming summer months due to the typical hot temperatures. She said that last year, she and the ARC medical staff saw cases of “very bad dehydration,” including in nondiabetic patients.
Austin recently experienced 100-degree temperatures in mid-May, according to data from the National Weather Service. So far this year, Austin has seen occurrences of above average temperatures since January and below average precipitation, data from the NWS shows. For the June to August months, NWS is predicting temperatures will be above normal, according to a NWS forecast issued May 15.
Tips for managing heat
Williams said that both diabetic and nondiabetic people should be mindful of ways to avoid overheating.
She said working out in the morning when temperatures are generally cooler and avoiding activities during midday, when temperatures are typically hotter, can be easy solutions to help prevent overheating in the outdoors. Checking the heat index, which measures both temperature and humidity, can be another good way to prepare for the weather that day, she said.
Additionally, opting for water instead of sugary and caffeinated drinks such as coffee and soda can help maintain water in the body. Williams also recommends Gatorade as it can give salt needed for sweat.
Wearing light, loose-fitting clothing and wearing sunscreen can be good for managing health effects from the heat.
For diabetic patients, she said some medicines such as insulin are heat-sensitive and can lose effectiveness when exposed to heat. Equipment such as pumps, monitors and glucose test strips can be damaged by heat, she said. Glucose test strips can also go bad in the sunlight.
Williams also recommends talking with a doctor about any tips for managing the heat and addressing any risks of heat-related illnesses.
“Have conversations with your doctor about how to take care of yourself in the heat because every condition has something else that you may need to keep an eye on,” she said.
