Diabetes mellitus and summer heat. Diabetes and sun protection Eye protection from the sun

The sun and high air temperature affect the well-being of a diabetic, thereby increasing blood sugar levels. You shouldn’t completely give up the sun, but just follow the rules that help maintain your general condition.

Benefits and harms

Tanning has the following positive aspects:

• beauty of skin appearance;
• accelerating the healing of dry wounds, dermatitis and non-inflammatory rashes;
• saturating the body with vitamin D.

Not only diabetics, but also healthy people are prohibited from sunbathing during certain hours (from 12:00 to 15:00) under the scorching rays of the sun. High air temperatures negatively affect blood sugar levels, causing unnecessary surges and imbalances. In addition, the health of patients worsens, weakness, loss of strength appear, and heart problems are possible. According to medical statistics, it is in the summer that the number of hospitalizations of people with diabetes increases.

The dangers of tanning are also as follows:

• Possible burning of thin and light areas of skin, eyes, and burns.
• Heatstroke.
• Weakening and dehydration of the body caused by burns.
• Violation of the integrity of the dermis layer, which entails infection of the damaged areas and the development of the inflammatory process.

Return to contents

Rules for tanning for diabetes

Patients of an endocrinologist are recommended to sunbathe in the shade of trees or under a beach umbrella. A tan obtained in the shade is considered no less beautiful and even, and most importantly, safe. There are preventive measures for proper tanning in diabetes, aimed at protecting the body from the troubles of ultraviolet radiation and exacerbations of the condition. The rules include the following points:

• Sunbathing on an empty stomach is prohibited; you must first eat well and drink water.
• Dry your skin after each bath, do not leave droplets of water on your body to dry under the scorching rays of the sun. This often provokes increased burning.
• Use protective creams before and after tanning. Use it on different parts of the body.
• Do not remove your hat to protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation and its negative effects on the body.
• Sunbathe in the morning before 11 am, and after 15:00 until the evening.
• Do not walk barefoot on sand and soil.
• Wear dark glasses to prevent sun rays from causing retinal damage and blindness.

It is important for people with diabetes to protect their eyes from ultraviolet radiation, as they are considered a sensitive area. Prolonged exposure to the sun disrupts the production of insulin, which can lead to decreased vision and eventual blindness. It is necessary to strictly follow the rules of protection against sunburn and take care of your health.

Is it possible to go to the solarium?

There is no veto on the solarium, but visiting it if you have diabetes is still not recommended. This cosmetic procedure is quite common among the female half of the population, but its use in diabetic patients is undesirable. In a solarium, the skin is exposed to long ultraviolet rays, which in case of endocrine disorders can only cause harm, aggravating the general condition and course of the disease.

The information is provided for general information only and cannot be used for self-medication. You should not self-medicate, it can be dangerous. Always consult your doctor. When partially or completely copying materials from the site, an active link to it is required.

Diabetes and sun protection

The sun emits ultraviolet radiation that can damage the skin and eyes, especially when the sun is at its peak. When the sun rises, we must take certain precautions to limit our exposure to the sun.

Skin protection

Many of us like to enjoy the sun, but some of us cannot stand the sun.

Diabetics using sulfonylureas (an oral antidiabetic medication) should be aware that these tablets may increase sensitivity to the sun and should take precautions by limiting frequent sun exposure.

Sun protection for feet

People with diabetes should take care of their feet as diabetes can affect the nerves in the feet and can cause difficulty healing. If cuts, burns and calluses fail to heal, they can become dangerous for people with diabetes. Therefore, it is important to prevent your feet from getting damaged.

Diabetics are not recommended to walk barefoot, as they may not notice that they have received burns or rubbed calluses. It is also important to wear comfortable shoes that do not rub or pinch your feet, as this can lead to blisters.

When you're out in the sun, check your feet throughout the day. It is also recommended that people with diabetes apply sunscreen to their toes and top of their feet.

Sun protection for eyes

We should all avoid direct sun exposure to our eyes, whether we have diabetes or not, as the sun can cause damage to the retina, known as solar retinopathy.

Diabetes can also increase the risk of diabetic retinopathy and thus, diabetics should protect their eyes from the sun to avoid any additional damage to the retina.

Protecting medications from the sun

The medications we take can also cause sun sensitivity.

People taking insulin or incretin mimetics should take care not to expose medications to direct sunlight or allow medications to become too warm.

Now on the Forum

I read a lot about the sun and sunbathing. It's not as harmless as it might seem. Considering modern ecology and the level of solar activity, it is better to be pale and not tanned than to flaunt golden skin color.

Hello. I am interested in this question: if I take insulin and in the summer I will be in a rather hot climate, then where is it better to store the medicines if there is no refrigerator at home and how to store them during a long trip or a long move, for example, if you travel for several days by train, but in a carriage it is very hot?

There are special thermal bags, powered by batteries or crystals, that release a cooling gel after cold water is dripped onto them. When it is very hot, cooler bags are recommended, but you need to look carefully: a certain temperature and not overexpose it, excess cold is also harmful to insulin.

Pharmacies now sell specialized cases for storing medications, including cooling ones for insulin. Not everyone can afford them, of course, so we use thermal bags when traveling to the sea, or even just in the hottest weather.

Of course, too much sun can cause significant harm, not just to people with diabetes. But diabetics need to be doubly careful. Did not expect!

The sun is contraindicated for diabetics. Therefore, you should not once again expose yourself to danger and be under the sun’s rays, take care of your health.

A very important detail in the life of diabetics is to spend less time in the sun! Direct sunlight can cause irreparable damage. Before the onset of summer, you need to think about options not only for shoes, but also for clothing that is light, breathable, and blocks out sunlight.

Is it possible to sunbathe with diabetes?

Patients with diabetes should not sunbathe in a solarium, because it puts a lot of stress on the body, and this increases blood sugar. And you need to protect your skin from injury very carefully. The sun has no negative effect, it is pure vitamin D. But of course, moderation is needed in everything : sunbathe from 8 to 11 o'clock, or after 16 and no more than one and a half to two hours with sunscreen.

Frankly, hot summer days with a sultry scorching sun are dangerous for an absolutely healthy person. What can I say: dehydration, overheating of the body, burns can easily appear in the shortest possible time. Diabetics should follow the storage conditions for medications and not leave them in direct sunlight.

People diagnosed with diabetes can sunbathe. You just can't do it when the sun is too harsh. You can stay in the sun until ten in the morning and after five in the evening. Of course, be sure to cover your head (panama hat, hat, headscarf). It is advisable to use sunscreens and lotions. Doctors also advise drinking a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration. And be sure to monitor your well-being; if any symptoms arise, it is better not to go outside in the heat, and certainly not to sunbathe.

There is no complete ban on tanning for people suffering from diabetes, but there are some drawbacks. Firstly, you should refuse the help of solariums, as they will definitely cause detrimental decline and increase your sugar level. And secondly, you can sunbathe in the sun at any time except peak periods from 11.00 to 16.00. In this case, you should not sunbathe for more than an hour and it would be good to use protective creams.

You can and should sunbathe, though wisely and not in a solarium, but in the south. My aunt, who has type 2 diabetes, goes to the sea every year because her sugar levels return to normal there. It is necessary to use creams with SPF filters and choose inactive sun, for example from 16:00 until the evening. So everything is possible in moderation. If you feel bad in the sun, you can stop sunbathing, take pills and continue only the next day.

You can, but you shouldn’t sunbathe too much, because it puts a lot of stress on the body. You need to sunbathe for pleasure, a little in the pleasant sun. Of course, not during sunny rush hour; it is dangerous even for absolutely healthy people.

It all depends on the individual sensitivity of the body to the sun's rays. Based on statistics, during the hot season, more diabetics are hospitalized due to the fact that the heat has a bad effect on the body. Diabetics become dehydrated faster than a healthy person, so you need to be as careful as possible and drink more water. Doctors recommend postponing all tasks until the evening or morning until 10 o’clock, while the sun is still in a safe position. After all, people with diabetes are more susceptible to tanning.

Of course you can, but you shouldn’t “overdo it” and sunbathe in moderation. But it’s worth noting that before you start sunbathing, you need to coat yourself with tanning cream; this cream will prevent you from burning out in the sun and getting overcooked. If we compare sunbathing and tanning in a solarium, then solarium is already strictly prohibited for people with diabetes. And sunbathing is only beneficial.

I heard that it is useful to travel with diabetes to the Sea of ​​Azov. And you can sunbathe, but only in moderation. It’s better to spend more time splashing in the sea, drinking cocktails with cinnamon and without sugar and not worrying about it.

For example, I think that now being in the sun a lot is dangerous in principle. It’s better not to show off a beautiful tan than to reap unpleasant consequences later.

You can tan, but without going overboard. And be sure to use a protective cream with a protection factor of 15. And in the hottest time, it’s better not to go to the beach, garden or where there is a lot of sun - it’s dangerous!

Just not for long: is it possible and how to sunbathe properly if you have diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the pancreas does not produce enough of the pancreatic hormone, insulin.

As a result, there is an increased level of sugar in the blood. This disease cannot be treated, but if you follow the recommendations of doctors and take special medications, the condition can be stabilized to such an extent that the person will not feel any discomfort at all.

Many questions constantly arise regarding the course of this disease. One of them is the following: can you sunbathe if you have diabetes?

Sun and diabetes

As you know, people suffering from this disease sometimes find it very difficult to keep their sugar levels normal. But at high temperatures it is even more difficult to do this.

Most people suffering from different types of diabetes have a certain sensitivity to increased temperature, both indoors and outdoors.

There is confirmed evidence that high temperature can increase the concentration of glucose in human blood.

In extreme heat, diabetics feel thirsty because their bodies lose moisture incredibly quickly. This is what leads to an increase in plasma sugar concentration. On a very hot day, the patient must drink enough clean water to avoid loss of moisture.

It is also very important to avoid open areas of the street that are exposed to the sun. It is advisable to do everyday activities at the beginning of the day or closer to its end, when the heat has completely subsided.

Many diabetics do not know exactly how their body reacts to heat. This is explained by the fact that most of them have insensitive limbs.

It is because of this that they can expose themselves to danger while under the scorching sun.

Some patients feel the moment when their body begins to overheat, others do not. The moment when the body temperature begins to rise rapidly is accompanied by slight malaise and dizziness.

Do not forget that even at this second he may already be susceptible to heatstroke. Doctors recommend refraining from prolonged exposure to open sunlight during the hottest months of summer. Diabetics may experience what is called heat exhaustion or stroke much more quickly. This is explained by the fact that their sweat glands periodically contract.

Doctors strongly recommend that all people with diabetes constantly monitor their blood sugar levels. We should also not forget that the set of necessary funds (insulin and devices) should not be exposed to aggressive sunlight. This could ruin them. Insulin should only be stored in the refrigerator, and special devices should be stored in a dry and dark place.

Is it possible to go to the sea with diabetes?

Every person should know whether he is allowed to be on the beach or not.

There are several main rules for people with diabetes that should be followed in the scorching heat:

• It is important to avoid sunbathing, since prolonged exposure to rays on the skin can lead to an immediate increase in sugar levels;
• you need to maintain the level of moisture in the body, avoiding dehydration;
• It is advisable to exercise early in the morning or in the evening, when the sun is less aggressive;
• It is important to check your glucose levels as often as possible;
• Do not forget that instant temperature changes can negatively affect the quality of medications and devices for diabetics;
• it is very important to wear only light-colored clothes made from natural fabrics that can “breathe”;
• you should avoid doing physical exercise in the air;
• It is not recommended to walk on hot ground or sand without shoes;
• it is important to ensure that sunstroke does not occur;
• It is imperative to avoid excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol as this will lead to dehydration in the first place.

Why not?

To answer the question of whether it is possible to sunbathe with diabetes, it is necessary to understand in more detail the effects of ultraviolet radiation on the diabetic body.

Vitamin D, which is produced in the body under the influence of ultraviolet rays, has the ability to improve all existing metabolic processes in the body, including carbohydrates.

And if we take into account the positive impact of the sun on mood, work ability and the general condition of the musculoskeletal system, then it is also impossible to completely refuse to be in the sun.

As you know, in the presence of diabetes, the reactions of the cardiovascular and nervous systems are radically different from the norm. Therefore, the most important thing on a summer holiday is compliance with the existing rules for safe stay on the beach. The head must be reliably protected from exposure to sunlight.

You can only be in the sun until eleven o'clock in the afternoon and after seventeen o'clock in the evening. During this most dangerous period of time, it is imperative to be in reliable shelter from the negative effects of the aggressive sun.

But is it possible to sunbathe with type 2 diabetes? The answer to this question is quite clear: the permissible time for being in the sun is no more than twenty minutes.

When sunbathing or swimming, you should definitely take care of your skin by applying an expensive sunscreen with a protective filter of at least twenty. The eyes should also be protected with tinted glasses.

It is important to note that walking barefoot on the sand is strictly prohibited. If even a slight injury to the skin suddenly occurs, it will end in infection and a rather long healing time.

The skin of the extremities must be reliably protected from drying out and loss of moisture, so after each swim in sea water you should take a bath and apply a special nourishing protective cream.

The greatest danger for people with diabetes is that they drink too little water during such a hot period.

Since moisture loss occurs much more intensely in summer, this fact should be taken into account and the situation needs to be corrected. The amount of fluid consumed per day should be at least two liters. Also, do not forget that it must be without gas.

Diabetes fears this remedy like fire!

You just need to apply it.

Since many patients do not know whether it is possible to sunbathe with type 2 diabetes, doctors categorically do not recommend staying in the open sun for a long time.

To protect yourself, you should use a special cream with a high level of skin protection.

Patients taking sulfonylureas should be aware that this drug may increase sensitivity to sunlight. Therefore, it is imperative to take all precautions, in particular limiting regular exposure to the sun.

You also need to regularly check your glucose concentration to ensure it does not exceed the permissible level. You need to drink more than two liters of purified cool water per day - this will help maintain normal moisture levels in the diabetic’s body.

Video on the topic

A film for patients with type 2 diabetes, which is a guide in the fight against this disease:

So is it possible to sunbathe if you have diabetes? Doctors recommend being extremely careful while on the beach. Diabetics should only be in the sun if basic precautions are taken. It is very important to ensure that any diabetic equipment or medications you have are not exposed to direct sunlight as this may damage them. Insulin and other medications should only be stored in the refrigerator.

• Stabilizes sugar levels for a long time
• Restores insulin production by the pancreas

When going on a relatively short (several hours) trip (tourist excursions, trips to the forest to pick mushrooms and berries, etc.), you need to take with you a “food first aid kit” for about 5 -6 XE, that is, 60 -70 g of carbohydrates, and with high and medium glycemic indices. During such walks and other intense and (or) long-term physical activity, you need to “listen” to your well-being so as not to miss the development of hypoglycemia and quickly eliminate its first symptoms by taking appropriate food.

If you are planning a trip with clearly significant physical activity (biking out of town, skiing, hiking over 5 km, etc.), the morning dose of insulin should be reduced so as not to cause an excessive decrease in blood glucose levels. The specific degree of dose reduction can be determined based on the initial glycemia data.

You should not sunbathe in direct sunlight in the heat (more than 25 ° C) and after 10 - 11 o'clock in the afternoon, you should not walk barefoot even on soft sand, so as not to burn or injure your feet. The latter is especially important for people with the first signs of “diabetic foot”. You need to swim near the shore and, preferably, in company. You cannot swim to depth during long (more than 20 - 30 minutes) swimming. It is best to swim for a few minutes along the shore, and alternate swimming with relaxing on the beach.

If you have diabetes, long and long trips are not prohibited. If the patient feels well, knows how to control the level of glycemia, has acquired a minimum of required knowledge on nutrition and drug treatment, so that he can independently solve most of his problems on the way and upon arrival, he can travel to different countries.

Long-distance travel is not recommended in the first year of diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Such a patient still does not know well the intricacies of insulin therapy, does not yet know how to properly vary the diet, does not recognize the development of hypoglycemia well, etc. When planning a trip, you should undergo an examination to make sure that diabetes is compensated. If there are objective signs of insufficient compensation, a long trip should be postponed until the results of more effective treatment.

For long trips, especially abroad, and long-distance flights, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

Obtain a certificate of diabetes mellitus from a medical institution; when traveling abroad - in Russian and English. Obtain from your doctor additional prescriptions (legible, in Latin) in case you lose your medications during the trip. A certificate of illness will help you freely carry syringes, insulin and other medications through the airport checkpoint and customs. Vials of insulin or glucagon must have clear pharmaceutical labeling.

Before traveling, you must carefully read your insurance documents and check what medical services they provide in cases of deterioration in your health in the host country.

All accessories related to the treatment of diabetes (insulin, syringes, glucometers and batteries for them, test strips, glucose-lowering tablets, etc.) must be in your bag or other carry-on luggage. They should not be checked in as baggage, which may get lost. It is equally important that these accessories are always at hand. It is advisable to have two sets of glucometers and batteries, packed in different bags, and additional (above the estimated requirement for the days of the trip) bottles of insulin, glucagon and other medications. We must act on the principle: it is better to take more with you than less. If a patient uses U-40 insulins and travels to the United States, it is necessary to stock up on U-40 syringes in order to administer the correct dose of insulin. In the US, insulins and U-100 syringes are standard. If you draw U-40 insulin with such syringes, you can get an underestimated dose of insulin, and using a U-40 syringe for U-100 insulin will give a larger dose than necessary. In Europe and South America, insulins and U-40 syringes are sold.

Carry-on luggage must contain an “emergency” food set consisting of sources of slowly absorbed carbohydrates (cookies, biscuits, crackers and other dry starchy foods) and quickly absorbed carbohydrates: glucose tablets, lumps of sugar, small-packaged jelly or honey, non-chocolate candies, sweet soft drinks, juice, sweet tea in a thermos or other container of 250 - 300 ml. There may be various delays and changes while traveling that will affect your daily routine and meal times. Slowly absorbed carbohydrates are needed for “snacks” if food intake has been delayed; rapidly absorbed carbohydrates are needed to urgently eliminate the symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Regular monitoring of your blood glucose levels is essential to ensure you stay safe throughout your trip. If the patient does not carry out frequent blood glucose measurements at home, then on long-haul flights they are needed every 4 to 5 hours. Please note that during a flight, blood glucose levels tend to rise.

When traveling in an easterly direction, the day is shortened - the clocks must be set forward. If in this way the day is shortened by 3 hours or more, then the next morning the dose of long-acting insulin should be reduced by 4 - 6, less often 8 units. In the future, insulin administration is done in the same doses. When traveling westward, the days become longer and the clocks are set back. On the day of departure, you need to give an insulin injection in the usual dose, but if the day has lengthened by 3 hours or more, at the end of the day you can give an additional injection of 4 - 6 - 8 units of short-acting insulin, followed by a small meal containing carbohydrates. These changes in insulin doses are especially important on long-haul flights. Usually, dose changes are not required if less than 5 time zones are overlapped. However, the rule: “east direction - less insulin, west direction - more insulin” is not always true. Varying departure times, flight durations, and stopovers on an aircraft may require more complex approaches to insulin administration, requiring self-monitoring of glycemic levels. When traveling long distances from north to south or from south to north, the usual daily insulin therapy plan does not change.

Changes in time zones during travel do not have as significant an impact on the intake of glucose-lowering tablets as on the administration of insulin. If a patient takes metformin or a sulfonylurea twice daily, it is better for him to reduce the dose and have mild hyperglycemia during the flight (rarely more than 7 - 8 hours) than to take two doses with a shortened period of time between them, which increases the risk hypoglycemia. No changes are required when taking acarbose or new drugs such as repaglinide: these drugs are taken as usual, before meals.

When traveling by sea, nausea, vomiting, aversion to food and other symptoms of seasickness are possible. In most cases of seasickness, your insulin dose should be reduced slightly. If it is impossible to eat, the dose of short-acting insulin should be reduced by half, and long-acting insulin by one third. If you are thirsty, you can drink sweet and sour fruit and berry juices. On a sea voyage, it is necessary to take medications that reduce the manifestations of seasickness as a preventive measure.

A diabetic patient who has a driver's license and a car has double responsibility: for the health of others (pedestrians, car passengers) and their own health. The main concern of a diabetic patient driving a car is the prevention and timely elimination of hypoglycemia. To do this, the following conditions must be met:

Before any, but especially before a long trip, you should not increase the dose of insulin and you should definitely eat no less than usual, and not delay eating until the expected roadside cafe.

During the trip, always keep fast-absorbing carbohydrate products close to you on the seat or drawer of the car: glucose tablets, lump sugar, sweet juice or other sweet drink that can be quickly opened, sweet cookies, etc.

During the trip, carefully follow the usual diet and insulin administration, without skipping a single meal. Every 2 hours of driving it is advisable to stop, walk around a little, have a snack and drink.

At the slightest sign of hypoglycemia, you should immediately stop and eat or drink anything containing instant carbohydrates. After an attack of hypoglycemia, you can drive a car only half an hour later, or better yet, after your next meal.

It is not recommended to drive for patients with labile (i.e., hypoglycemia) diabetes mellitus; patients who have recently (less than a year) started treatment with insulin and who do not yet know how their disease will progress - stable or labile, as well as patients who have started taking glucose-lowering tablets (especially glibenclamide) in the last 3 to 4 months and have not yet adapted completely towards these drugs.

When traveling or a long trip to another country, it is difficult to follow the same diet as at home, especially if we are not talking about countries in Europe and North America. But as far as possible, you should stick to the same number and time of meals as you did at home, and try to choose familiar or close to them foods and dishes. It was noted above that it is advisable to plan long-distance and long trips for diabetes mellitus of types 1 and 2, respectively, a year or 3 to 5 months after diagnosis and initiation of treatment. During these periods, patients should accumulate the first experience of determining the amount of food by eye, approximate assessment of products based on carbohydrate content, and converting them into “bread units” during insulin therapy. It is advisable to familiarize yourself in books with the peculiarities of the national cuisine of the host country in advance.

Patients with diabetes should avoid dehydration, which is very possible in hot countries, and in the summer - in any country. For drinking, it is best to use bottled mineral or spring water, green tea, but not alcoholic drinks or coffee.

Compliance with the rules for storing insulin is of great importance. Glucose-lowering tablets should be dry and should be protected from exposure to high air humidity.

With well-thought-out preparation for a long trip, it should proceed without complications and improve the quality of life. But with a frivolous attitude towards the nature of nutrition, drug treatment and self-monitoring of glycemic levels, patients can be at risk of very unpleasant, even life-threatening complications. Just in case, you should keep a special insert in your breast pocket or purse with your data (last name, first name, address) and diagnosis. In the United States and several other countries, people with diabetes are encouraged to wear bracelets or neck tags that indicate that the person has diabetes and is injecting insulin.

Diabetes mellitus and everything about it! :: View topic - tanning in a solarium - is it possible, is it necessary?

Girls! Well, what are you talking about... How is it that “exposure to the sun is strictly prohibited”?
IMHO, it is prohibited only within unreasonable limits, like all other non-diabetics.
I remember when I first got sick, they said that it wasn’t good at all, and nothing at all was bad: black caviar was bad, and chocolate with champagne was bad, and the sun was bad, and the sea was bad, and going abroad was bad, and nothing exotic at all... And then they said , which is very possible, but within reasonable limits and under the control of sugar.
Regarding the dangers of sunbathing, I somehow don’t remember where I came across some interesting information about one very famous, it seems American, doctor. He was an active promoter of scientific evidence of the dangers of sun exposure, and after his retirement, he admitted that he received considerable financial rewards from sunscreen manufacturers. In fact, no scientifically substantiated connection between the sun and the diseases with which it frightened people has ever been established.
Solarium seems to be of no use to anyone. But when there is a shortage of something, they prescribe UV (at least, they prescribed something like that to me as a child). Maybe if you don’t get carried away too much, you can use a solarium? Although the combination of contrainsular drugs with the absence of insulin therapy is, of course, problematic...

In the midst of a hot and sunny summer, it is very difficult for diabetics to regulate their glucose levels, and all because high temperature plays a significant role in this process. Many people are too sensitive to heat, and this affects both their general condition and the amount of sugar in their blood. The number of hospitalizations of people with diabetes increases significantly in the summer, and all because the heat causes a deterioration in their well-being.

Diabetes and heat

In summer, the body of diabetics becomes dehydrated very quickly, so each of them must be extremely careful and attentive and consume the required amount of water. Doctors strongly recommend postponing all your daily activities and workouts until the evening or doing them early in the morning, before the temperature rises to its maximum.

Heat is also dangerous for diabetics because some of them have no sensation in their limbs and can be very vulnerable without even knowing it. It's easy to get heatstroke if you're exposed to the sun for too long during rush hour, so regardless of your sensitivity, it's best to avoid being out of the sun for too long on particularly hot summer days. In addition, those people who have diabetes suffer from heatstroke much faster than others. Diabetics also have skin that burns quickly, and severe sunburn can increase the risk of infection and provoke hyperglycemia.

What to do to prevent heat from making you feel unwell

If you are planning a trip to the sea this summer, be extremely careful. Don't forget to put all your medications and equipment in your suitcase. Try to avoid direct sunlight by choosing a place in the shade under a canopy. To visit the beach, it is better to choose a time before 10 o’clock in the afternoon and after 16 o’clock, when the sun is not so aggressive, and during the hot afternoon you can sit in your room and relax.

All diabetics should regularly monitor their glucose levels in the summer, but in no case should you expose all your accessories (test strips, insulin, glucometer, sweeteners, syringes, etc.) to the sun, as this can cause damage to all of them. It is better to keep insulin in the refrigerator (on the bottom shelf), and all other devices in a dark place.

Diabetes is a very serious and insidious disease that, regardless of the time of year, must be taken seriously. Exposure to too high temperatures can quickly complicate the disease, so do not experiment and do not test your body’s endurance once again, but rather sit out the heat indoors.

Tips for diabetics in the summer heat

• to avoid dehydration, drink plenty of water daily;
• vigorous activity and exercise are best done in the evening or in the early hours, before the sun is at its peak;
• check your sugar levels more often;
• avoid sunbathing - when in the sun, apply sunscreen to your body and always wear a hat;
• remember that high temperatures can affect your equipment and medications - take care of their proper storage;
• wear clothes only made from natural fabrics; it is better to give preference to light-colored items;
• do not walk barefoot on a hot surface;
• do not consume caffeine and alcohol - they lead to dehydration;
• Monitor your well-being - if you experience weakness, dizziness, or excessive sweating, seek medical help.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most famous diseases in medicine, which has been identified since the times of the Roman Empire. The latest statistics show that about eight percent of all people in the world have a confirmed diagnosis of the above-mentioned disease of one type or another. Despite the fact that diabetes has been known for a long time, even advanced modern medicine cannot cure it completely and rid a person of this problem forever.

The latest edition of the international classifier of diseases contains a whole group of types of diabetes mellitus (class 4, E10–14), however, in medical practice, up to 95 percent of all detected cases of the disease are type 1 and type 2 diabetes, which differ very significantly and have both specific symptoms and and special therapy.

This type of diabetes is called true or juvenile diabetes, although a person can get it at any age. Classic autoimmune disease is associated with absolute insulin deficiency, which is caused by malfunction of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas and, as a consequence, destruction of beta cells, which are the main producing mechanism for insulin formation.

Reasons for appearance

The exact and generally accepted causes of type 1 diabetes are unknown. A number of modern studies show that in a significant proportion of cases, the “trigger mechanism” for the activation of the disease is proteins in the nervous system that have crossed the blood-brain barrier. They are attacked by the immune system and begin to be destroyed by the antibodies produced. Beta cells that produce the hormone insulin have markers almost identical to such proteins, as a result of which they are also destroyed by the immune system, from a partial decrease in their concentration to complete absence.

It has been scientifically proven that additional risk factors for the formation of type 1 diabetes mellitus are viral lesions of the pancreas, poor heredity (in 10 percent of cases, diabetes is transmitted from one parent to a child), as well as the introduction of a number of substances/medicines into the body - from streptosicin to rat poison .

Symptoms and signs

Type 1 diabetes, unlike other forms of diabetes, has pronounced symptoms, which, in the absence of proper treatment, quickly develop into serious complications. With a slight increase in blood sugar levels, the patient feels intense thirst and a frequent urge to urinate. At night, sweating is common; during the day, a person becomes irritable, and his mood often changes. Women regularly suffer from vaginal yeast infections. As glucose increases, mild neurological symptoms begin to appear - periodic depression and hysteria. Visual perception disorders are possible (peripheral vision is primarily affected).

As the sugar level approaches critical values, the patient develops ketoacidosis against the background of hyperglycemia with an unpleasant odor of acetone from the mouth, difficulty breathing, rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting and general dehydration of the body. Severe diabetes causes confusion, fainting, and ultimately hyperglycemic coma.

Diagnostics

The list of classic diagnostic measures for detection includes:

1. Collection of the patient's medical history and differential diagnosis of external symptoms of a possible disease.
2. . In the morning on an empty stomach and with a dosed glucose load. It is carried out according to strict preliminary criteria: within 12 hours the patient must give up alcohol, smoking, taking medications, food - only drinking water is allowed. The analysis may be inaccurate in the presence of chronic diseases in the acute phase, as well as various inflammatory processes. If the test gives a reading higher than 7 mmol/l (on an empty stomach) and 11 mmol/l (with a glucose load), then the doctor can give a preliminary one.
3. Blood test for glycated hemoglobin. Usually prescribed after a positive blood sugar test, indicating the concentration of glucose-bound hemoglobin. At rates above 6.5 percent, a general diagnosis of diabetes is made.
4. Analysis of venous blood for C-peptide. It is a clarifying test that helps determine the type of diabetes.

Features of treatment

A special feature of the treatment of type 1 diabetes is the mandatory regular administration of insulin. Even the most carefully selected diet, regular dosed physical activity and other activities in most cases do not make it possible to completely compensate for impaired carbohydrate metabolism. The dosage of insulin is selected individually, based on the results of the patient’s tests, his diet (calculating the amount of carbohydrate consumed according to the standardized value of XE), the individual characteristics of the body and other factors. Injections of the drug will have to be done throughout your life, since the insulin-dependent type of diabetes at the current level of medical development cannot be completely cured, while other therapeutic measures are aimed at stabilizing the patient’s condition, minimizing the dose of the administered drug and eliminating the risks of complications.

When insulin is synthesized by the body in sufficient or excess quantities, however, it is partially or completely not absorbed by tissue cells. Against the background of such hormonal resistance, the level of glucose in the blood gradually increases. Type 2 diabetes is defined by most doctors as a metabolic disease, which in the long term can develop into true diabetes.

Reasons for appearance

As medical practice and modern research show, the main reasons for this disorder of carbohydrate metabolism are obesity and genetic factors. Abdominal excess weight directly provokes the development of type 2 diabetes, and 20 percent of children whose parents had this metabolic disease are diagnosed with a similar problem.

Age-related changes also make a contribution - if type 1 diabetes mainly develops in childhood and adolescence, then type 2 diabetes usually develops in people over 30 years of age, and the main group consists of older people, whose metabolism is no longer so active. However, medical statistics of the last decade show that type 2 diabetes is rapidly becoming “younger” and is found even in obese children 8–10 years old.

Additional risk factors for the development of the problem are also considered to be pancreatic diseases, stress/depression and viral infections against a background of weak immunity.

Symptoms and signs

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are milder and more vague when compared with the manifestations of type 1 diabetes. Thirst and frequent urination, obesity, problem skin, chronic fatigue syndrome, swelling, night sweats, extremely poor healing of wounds and even simple cuts on the skin - these are the main complaints of most patients who are subsequently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

In this case, even with an advanced form of the disease, ketoacidosis rarely occurs, but increases in pressure, heart pain, partial numbness of the limbs, and only in extreme cases - pathological neurological manifestations are regularly observed. However, it is type 2 diabetes, not detected in time, that provokes a large number of various complications against the background of the chronic course of the underlying disease - these are angiopathy, retinopathy, neuropathies, as well as diabetic foot syndrome.

Diagnostics

The set of diagnostic measures for suspected type 2 diabetes mellitus is identical to studies for the presence of type 1 diabetes. After making an initial general diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe a venous blood test for C-peptide, one of the hormones synthesized by the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. It is a link in the transformation of beta cells into insulin and allows you to roughly calculate the intensity of its formation. If there is little C-peptide in the venous blood, then the patient is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, but if there is enough or too much, the synthesis of the hormone is not impaired and this is type 2 diabetes.

Features of treatment

A key component of treatment for type 2 diabetes is a properly selected diet. In the lion's share of cases, with full control of the diet, you can maintain carbohydrate metabolism at an acceptable level for years. In 90 percent of patients, excess weight makes the main contribution to the formation and development of the problem; accordingly, they are prescribed a personalized low-carbohydrate diet. Vegan nutrition systems also show high efficiency, being a good alternative to the classic options for adapting ND.

However, in some cases, diet alone is not enough. The doctor may prescribe the patient hypoglycemic drugs (based on sulfonylureas, biguanides, thiazolindiones or PRGs), taking into account the severity of the disease and the current condition of the body. In addition, the endocrinologist necessarily prescribes therapeutic exercise and gives recommendations for optimizing the daily rhythms of life. In rare cases, surgical transplantation of the pancreas (complications of the nephropathic spectrum) and even insulin may be necessary - the latter is usually needed in the later stages of the disease, when the secretory function of the islets of Langerhans is significantly weakened and type 2 diabetes smoothly transforms into type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Additional therapy includes the use of maintenance medications aimed at neutralizing possible complications of the disease - these are statins, fenofibrate, moxonidine, ACE inhibitors and other medications prescribed by the attending physician.

In the twentieth century, the vast majority of endocrinologists prescribed to their patients a so-called rational balanced diet with an approximately equal ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the daily diet. Only fried and smoked foods, as well as sweets and baked goods were excluded. However, as practice has shown, this type of nutrition does not significantly reduce blood glucose levels and in diabetics, sugar is slightly elevated, which ultimately and in the long term significantly reduces both the quality and life expectancy of patients.

In the last decade, nutritionists have increasingly recommended low-carbohydrate diets with the complete exclusion of simple carbohydrates from the diet and a significant limitation of complex carbohydrates, both for type 2 diabetes with increased body weight, and for patients with type 1 diabetes (a significant reduction in the volume of insulin doses administered). In this case, the main emphasis is on proteins and fractional nutrition, dividing the daily diet into 5–6 meals. The optimal cooking scheme is boiling and baking, sometimes carcass.

It is necessary to completely exclude from the menu all types of semi-finished products, rich broths and fatty meats, various marinades, sugar-based products, and baked goods. Also prohibited are pasta, sauces (salty and spicy), caviar, cream, baked goods, canned food of all types, bread based on wheat flour, as well as sweet fruits - dates, bananas, grapes, figs.

In strictly limited quantities, you can eat potatoes, eggs, cereals with legumes, as well as porridge - buckwheat, barley, oatmeal, egg. It is very rare to treat yourself to honey.

The classic list of permitted products includes lean meats (mainly poultry and beef), fish (all low-fat varieties), vegetable soups with cereals and meatballs, dietary sausages, low-fat fermented milk products, and unsalted cheeses. It is recommended to include carrots, beets, fresh green peas, cucumbers, pumpkin, eggplant, cabbage, sour berries and fruits, tea and coffee with milk in the diet.

It is preferable to use ghee or refined vegetable oil as a fat base.

Modern dietary practice and experimental methods of medical research increasingly indicate the effectiveness of vegetarian diets for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The largest tests carried out in the USA and Europe have proven that in most cases the above-mentioned nutritional system can actively reduce sugar and blood levels, reduce the risks of developing cardiovascular diseases and significantly reduce the excretion of protein in the urine after 3-4 weeks of switching to such a diet.

The essence of such a diet is a general low-calorie diet and avoidance of animal proteins. All types of meat and fish, eggs, dairy and fermented milk products, any sweet and wheat dishes, sunflower oil, coffee, as well as “junk” food - from French fries to crackers, carbonated drinks and any refined sugars - are strictly prohibited here.

The list of permitted dietary composition includes cereals and legumes, berries and fruits (except grapes), all fresh vegetables, mushrooms, nuts, seeds, as well as a “soy set” - yogurt, tofu, sour cream, milk based on it.

However, it is worth noting some negative aspects of using a vegetarian diet for diabetes and, first of all, this is a narrow range of its use - a vegan diet can only be used if there are no complications of diabetes in mild or moderate form. In addition, a vegan diet cannot be used constantly, because one way or another the body requires animal proteins in small quantities, as well as a number of nutrients/vitamins, which are essentially excluded from the diet. That is why it can only become a temporary “therapeutic and preventive” alternative to a classic balanced or low-carbohydrate diet, but not their full replacement.

Useful video

Types of diabetes

Diabetes mellitus: types, symptoms and treatment

When faced with a disease such as diabetes, a person has to change his usual lifestyle in many ways, and this applies not only to his diet. For example, whether it is possible to sunbathe with type 2 diabetes depends on a number of factors and compliance with several rules.

How does tanning affect the body?

The impact of ultraviolet rays from the sun - namely, they form a tan on the skin - on human health has not yet been fully studied by experts, however, two key points are no longer subject to doubt. Firstly, UV rays directly stimulate the body's production of vitamin D, which, in turn, promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus by bone tissue (a lack of this vitamin directly leads to rickets). This discovery was the first in a series of studies of sun rays and their effect on the body, so for a long time it was believed that the more a person sunbathes, the stronger and healthier he will be.

However, further study of the issue has clearly demonstrated that excessive insolation is dangerous to health. It leads to accelerated skin aging and the appearance of wrinkles, and in the worst case, it can lead to the development of melanoma, a dangerous skin disease. We are, of course, talking about prolonged exposure to direct sunlight without critical periods leading to sunburn and strokes. The danger of these situations is obvious to everyone, as they instantly cause a number of negative symptoms.

It is important to know! Pharmacies have been deceiving me for so long! A diabetes cure has been found that...

The result of the research was a compromise in the form of limited sun exposure.

It is enough to expose your face and hands to the rays for 5–15 minutes several times a week (during the summer months) so that the body produces enough vitamin D.

A slight excess of these figures will not cause harm to health, although it is generally known that it is better to sunbathe in the morning or afternoon, avoiding the hottest period of the day.

Is it possible to sunbathe with diabetes?

Sunbathing with type 2 diabetes is not only possible, but even necessary. The main thing is to obtain appropriate approval from the attending physician, who will take into account all the circumstances and criteria of the current condition of his patient. The fact is that there are a number of factors that impose restrictions on insolation in diabetes, neglect of which can lead to negative consequences:

• hypertension and surges in blood pressure, as well as a weak heart, can cause malaise when overheated;
• excess weight negatively affects well-being when exposed to direct sunlight for a long time;
• prolonged sunbathing can lead to dehydration, which is especially dangerous in type 2 diabetes mellitus;
• The presence of skin lesions in a diabetic, which often accompany this disease, can be aggravated by excessive sun exposure.

It is safe to say that in order for a person with diabetes to receive a sufficient portion of “sunbathing”, he only needs to expose his head and upper body to the sun’s rays with a minimum of clothing every morning in the spring-summer season (until 11 o’clock). For effective production of vitamin D, 20–25 minutes of such relaxation will be enough, and this will be the key to improving health. It has been scientifically proven that these measures can activate and positively regulate various processes occurring in the body, including breathing, metabolism, blood circulation and the functioning of the endocrine system.

How to behave at sea?

There are few adults today who do not know how to behave on the beach and what they need to remember in order to properly prepare for getting a tan. And yet it would not be superfluous to remind again. The main thing to remember is that exposure to the sun should be limited in time, otherwise there is a risk of heatstroke or sunstroke. To avoid the risk, after directly sunbathing, you should move under a canopy or umbrella, hiding from direct rays. In addition to this rule, it is necessary to have a sufficient supply of liquid with you: still mineral water is best suited for this - unsweetened, if we are talking about a patient with type 2 diabetes.

Don’t forget about sunscreens in the form of creams or emulsions, which are applied to the skin and thereby block the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, extending the permissible time spent on the beach. For the same purpose, you must wear a hat and use sunglasses, since UV rays, in addition to the skin, can damage the retina of the eyes. This is especially dangerous when you consider the likelihood that a diabetic may have retinopathy. Also, experts do not recommend eating while sunbathing, and even more so if you have diabetes, you should not drink even low-alcohol drinks while relaxing near the water.

It must be remembered that different genotypes of people perceive tanning differently. Brunettes with initially dark skin tan faster and tolerate the whole process easily, while blondes with pale skin easily “burn” in the sun, receiving red burns instead of a beautiful tan.

Is it possible to go to the solarium?

A relatively new phenomenon, which has spread under the name “solarium”, has become very popular among the general population. Even in winter, when it is impossible to sunbathe outdoors, there is a way to get a beautiful tan and replenish the lack of vitamin D.

However, no specialist recommends overusing tanning beds, since the intensity of their lamps exceeds the strength of the sun's rays and therefore can quickly damage the skin if you exceed the tanning limit.

Patients with diabetes should be aware that some pathologies are contraindications for using a solarium:

• blood circulation disorders;
• increased blood pressure;
• thyroid diseases;
• kidney and liver diseases;
• the presence of a large number of birthmarks.

Otherwise, if such obstacles are not observed in a particular patient, going to a solarium once or twice a week is quite acceptable, paying for short-term tanning sessions. In cold and cloudy seasons, such procedures, among other things, will have a noticeable psychological effect, improving the emotional state of the patient.