This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted August 8, 2025

Picture this…

It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave.

It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer.

But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to your health than you realize…

We all know the standard advice about staying cool in hot weather: drink water, stay indoors, wear light clothing.

But for the millions of Americans living with diabetes, extreme heat isn’t just uncomfortable. It’s downright dangerous.

A 2022 U.S. study published in the journal Diabetes Care found that extreme outdoor temperatures spike the risk of life-threatening conditions for people with type 2 diabetes, including severe hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and sudden cardiac arrest.

We’re not just talking about feeling a little under the weather. These are clear medical emergencies.

So why are people with diabetes so vulnerable to heat? It turns out your body’s natural cooling system gets sabotaged by the disease in ways you probably never imagined.

Here’s what’s really happening inside your body when temperatures soar:

• Your Sweat Glands Go Haywire: Nerve damage from diabetes impairs sweat glands, making it harder for your body to cool down naturally. It’s like having a broken air conditioner when you need it most.
• Dehydration Happens Fast: People with diabetes get dehydrated more quickly, especially high heat. Not drinking enough liquids raises blood sugar, and high blood sugar can make you urinate more, causing dehydration. It’s a vicious cycle that spirals out of control quickly.
• Blood Sugar Chaos: High temperatures can cause wild swings in your glucose levels. Physical activity usually causes blood sugar levels to decrease, but hot weather can throw a wrench into that, putting you at a greater risk for both high and low blood glucose levels.
• Medications Stop Working: Hot temperatures can cause insulin and other drugs to degrade, making them ineffective and unusable. Even your diabetes test strips and monitoring devices can malfunction in extreme heat.
• Your Warning System Fails: Here’s the scary part—fatigue, dizziness, and nausea can be symptoms of dehydration, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or heat exhaustion. When you can’t tell what’s wrong, you can’t take the right action.

The good news? You’re not powerless against this threat. Here’s your action plan to stay safe when the mercury rises:

• Monitor Your Blood Sugar: Since hot temperatures can cause glucose levels to fluctuate, frequently test your blood sugar when you’re spending time in the heat.
• Protect Your Medications: Never leave insulin, meters, or test strips in a hot car. Use a cooling case when you’re out and about, but don’t put insulin directly on ice—it can freeze and become useless.
• Hydrate: Drink plenty of water but skip the alcohol and caffeinated beverages. The CDC recommends avoiding coffee, soda, and energy or sports drinks, as they can cause dehydration and raise blood sugar levels.
• Dress for Defense: Wear loose and light clothing, use sunscreen, and wear a hat outdoors. A sunburn isn’t just painful—the stress hormones it produces can spike your blood sugar.
• Time It Right: Plan outdoor activities in the early morning or evening when temperatures are cooler. If you must be outside during peak heat, take frequent breaks in air-conditioned spaces.
• Know the Warning Signs: Watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, headache) and hypoglycemia (confusion, shakiness, rapid heartbeat). When in doubt, check your blood sugar and seek cool shelter immediately.

Extreme heat and diabetes can make a deadly combination, but knowledge is your best defense.

These precautions can help keep you safe when the next heat wave hits. Talk to your doctor about adjusting your diabetes management plan for hot weather. Make sure your family knows the warning signs.

Most importantly, don’t underestimate the power of extreme heat to disrupt your diabetes control.

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Source:

Bogar K, Brensinger CM, Hennessy S, Flory JH, Bell ML, Shi C, Bilker WB, Leonard CE. Climate Change and Ambient Temperature Extremes: Association With Serious Hypoglycemia, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest/Ventricular Arrhythmia in People With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2022 Nov 1;45(11):e171-e173. doi: 10.2337/dc22-1161. PMID: 36205432; PMCID: PMC9679254.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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