Winter season is fast approaching and once the temperature begins to drop, it only gets difficult for people with type 2 diabetes to manage their regular diabetic lifestyle routine and diabetes medication as a fall in temperature leads to a rise in their HbA1c levels and blood sugar levels.
Here are the tips to manage diabetes in winter season :
1. Keep your insulin and other diabetic devices in a dry, warm place. Just how hot climatic conditions affect the diabetic medication and devices, extreme cold temperatures also have an adverse effect on your insulin by losing its effectiveness. Avoid exposing your glucose monitor and your insulin to extreme cold climates.Make sure you cover and protect your pump and your blood glucose meter with a warmer accessory while you are out in the cold.
2. Protect your immune system. Winter spreads a lot of flu and people fall sick, all this can lead to stress and eventually raise your blood sugar levels. Discuss with your diabetes doctor if you need an annual flu shot. Maintain your hygiene when it comes to using your glucometer and other diabetes medication; keep a hand sanitizer with you so you are protected from the germs as well.
3. Monitor your blood glucose levels. With a drastic change in the climatic
condition, your blood glucose levels might also fluctuate. Contact your diabetes doctor if you notice frequently changing blood glucose reading with different schedules and activities during winter.
4. Warm up your hands. Winters can leave your hands feeling very cold and make it difficult for you to test your blood glucose frequently. When your hands are warmer, there is more blood flowing to your fingers, so wear gloves, mittens and keep your hands protected from cold. Warm up your hands especially before testing your blood glucose.
5. Stay active. Cold climates make our routine more sedentary which can lead to a rise in blood sugar. Continue your regular workouts, even if that is just walking or an exercise routine at home that will keep your heart beat racing. Do not avoid exercising in the cold.
6. Keep checking your feet.Cold, breezy air can dry out your skin and crack your feet which can open room for infections and cuts. Make sure you wear proper diabetic footwear for winters and keep your feet moisturized while keeping an eye on them every single day. Make sure you contact your doctor immediately if you notice an injury or wound which is not healing.