Chit Chat for Diabetics

Extreme Australian heat can significantly affect blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Learn how hot weather impacts glucose levels, medication, hydration, and overall health — and how to stay safe.

Australia is known for its harsh summers, with temperatures regularly exceeding 35°C and heatwaves becoming more frequent and intense. While extreme heat can affect anyone, people living with diabetes are at higher risk of heat-related complications. Hot weather can interfere with blood sugar control, medication effectiveness, hydration, and circulation — sometimes in dangerous ways.

Understanding how extreme heat impacts diabetes is essential for staying safe, maintaining stable blood glucose levels, and avoiding serious health complications.

How Heat Affects the Body in People with Diabetes

When temperatures rise, the body works harder to regulate internal temperature through sweating and increased blood flow to the skin. For people with diabetes, this natural cooling process can become less efficient due to nerve damage, dehydration, and circulation problems.

Heat also affects how insulin works and how glucose is absorbed and used — often leading to unpredictable blood sugar fluctuations.

Blood Sugar Fluctuations in Hot Weather

1. Heat Can Lower Blood Sugar Levels

Hot weather causes blood vessels to dilate, which can make insulin absorb more quickly into the bloodstream. This increases the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), particularly in people who use insulin or certain oral diabetes medications.

Symptoms such as dizziness, sweating, fatigue, and confusion can be mistaken for heat exhaustion, making hypoglycaemia harder to detect during heatwaves.

2. Heat Can Also Raise Blood Sugar

At the same time, dehydration caused by sweating concentrates glucose in the blood, leading to hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar). Illness related to heat stress can also trigger the release of stress hormones, which further raise glucose levels.

This combination makes blood sugar harder to manage during extreme heat.

Dehydration: A Major Risk for Diabetics

Dehydration is one of the most serious dangers of hot Australian weather for people with diabetes.

High blood sugar causes frequent urination, which increases fluid loss. Combined with sweating, this can quickly lead to dehydration, resulting in:

• Elevated blood glucose levels

• Increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in type 1 diabetes

• Thickened blood, increasing strain on the heart

• Dizziness, weakness, and confusion

Because thirst signals may be reduced in people with diabetic neuropathy, dehydration can develop without warning.

Medication and Insulin Risks in Extreme Heat

1. Insulin Loses Effectiveness

Insulin is highly sensitive to heat. Exposure to temperatures above 30°C can cause insulin to break down, making it less effective or ineffective altogether.

This can lead to unexplained high blood sugar readings even when insulin doses remain unchanged.

2. Oral Medications Can Be Affected

Some diabetes medications increase the risk of dehydration or heat sensitivity. Others rely on kidney function, which may be compromised during dehydration.

Medications stored in hot cars, beach bags, or uncooled environments can become unsafe to use.

Heat and Diabetes-Related Complications

Extreme heat can worsen existing diabetes complications, including:

🔹 Neuropathy

Nerve damage may reduce the ability to feel heat, increasing the risk of burns from hot surfaces, sand, or pavement.

🔹 Cardiovascular Stress

People with diabetes are already at higher risk of heart disease. Heat places extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and cardiac events.

🔹 Foot Problems

Hot weather increases sweating and moisture, raising the risk of fungal infections, blisters, and ulcers — especially when combined with poor circulation or reduced sensation.

Practical Tips for Managing Diabetes During Extreme Heat

To stay safe during Australian heatwaves, people with diabetes should take extra precautions:

✔️ Stay Hydrated

• Drink water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty

• Avoid sugary drinks, soft drinks, and excessive caffeine

• Carry water when outdoors

✔️ Monitor Blood Sugar More Frequently

• Heat can cause unpredictable glucose changes

• Check levels more often during very hot days

✔️ Store Insulin and Medications Correctly

• Keep insulin between 2–8°C when not in use

• Use insulated medication carriers when travelling

• Never leave medications in hot vehicles

✔️ Dress and Plan Smartly

• Wear light, breathable clothing

• Avoid outdoor activity during peak heat hours (11am–4pm)

• Seek air-conditioned environments when possible

✔️ Protect Your Feet

• Wear shoes on hot sand or pavement

• Keep feet clean and dry

• Check daily for blisters, cuts, or redness

When to Seek Medical Help

Immediate medical attention is required if you experience:

• Persistent blood sugar above target range

• Signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke

• Vomiting, confusion, or extreme weakness

• Symptoms of low blood sugar that don’t improve

The Bottom Line

Extreme Australian heat poses serious challenges for people with diabetes. From unpredictable blood sugar changes to dehydration and medication risks, hot weather requires extra vigilance and planning.

By staying hydrated, monitoring glucose closely, storing medications safely, and avoiding prolonged heat exposure, people with diabetes can protect their health and reduce the risk of complications — even during Australia’s hottest days.

Being heat-aware isn’t just about comfort — for diabetics, it’s a critical part of staying safe and well.