5 Tips To Manage Diabetes During Winters

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Cold weather and holiday gatherings can affect people living with diabetes. People with diabetes need to manage their condition to stay healthy. And if you’re living with diabetes, freezing temperature and chilly weather can make it more challenging to keep your glucose levels within the ideal range. With this in mind, we’ve listed a few tips to help you keep your blood sugar levels under control during the cold winter months.

Here’s what you can do to prevent blood sugar spikes whilst the temperature drops.

1. Do regular blood tests

Regular blood testing is essential all year round but diabetes and cold weather can make this tricky. Having cold hands can skew your blood sugar readings. You may want to wash your hands in warm water before doing a test.

2. Stay active

A little bit of physical activity each day goes a long way to help you regulate your sugar levels. It keeps you warm, boosts insulin sensitivity and sharpens your mind.

Dress in warm clothes when working out in the outdoors, keep your insulin pump – assuming you use one – protected from the cold and stay hydrated.

If it gets too cold to do the types of exercises you enjoyed during the spring and summer, look for a gym with an indoor pool, or borrow some workout DVDs from your library.

3. Keep your hands and feet warm

People often have trouble keeping their hands and feet warm due to reduced circulation, and diabetes and cold weather can only make this situation worse. This is a good time of year to invest in warm, well-fitting diabetic socks, waterproof boots and cozy gloves or mittens. Follow the rules of diabetic foot care whenever possible.

4. Healthy comfort foods

Let’s face it: fall and winter are prime comfort food seasons. Between traditional holiday fare and standard cold-weather soups and stews, every meal can feel like a feast.

We’re not saying you can’t enjoy any of those foods. Just stick to your meal plan and eat in moderation. The American Diabetes Association also recommends getting plenty of seasonal produce vegetables, such as citrus fruits and root vegetables.

5. The dangers of indoor heat

Your heating system can turn the air in your home from moist to dry, which can, in turn, cause your skin to crack. Make sure you apply moisturizer regularly – especially to your feet – and keep hydrated.

6. Preventing the flu

Getting the flu is considerably more dangerous for people with diabetes than the rest of the population. First of all, diabetes makes it tougher to fight off the flu virus. And it can cause blood sugar levels to spike. Try to get a flu vaccine this year, wash your hands and avoid touching your face, and try to avoid coming in close contact with people who have the flu.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!