Diabetes Management in Winters

Between the changing weather and the festivities, it can be tough to control blood sugar and manage your diabetes. Especially high blood sugar, can trick you into thinking you are warm even when you’re exposed to cold weather.

The way your lifestyle changes during winter can have a great impact on your diabetes management.

Certain problems that you may face:

• Extreme cold can make it difficult to prick your fingers for sugar tests
• Finding the motivation to exercise can be tough in such weather
• Battling a flu or cold can make it more difficult to take care of yourself and control your diabetes.
• Diabetes and winters both can cause numbness, and detecting the right cause in time can get difficult.

Follow these tips to avoid such complications and difficulties that may arise out of the chilly season:

1. Wear warm socks and proper footwear. When dressing for cooler temperatures, pay attention to your feet. Make sure that they are warm and dry and when you’re outside. People with neuropathy, have to be very diligent. Check regularly for sores, cracks, and any discoloration.
2. Keep moving. The changing weather may make you want to stay in and lead to less exercise and physical activity. Make sure you do not skip your exercise at any cost.
3. Avoid indoor heat. Though we all at some point get our heaters out, one thing we forget is that they tend to dry out our skin by sucking out all the body’s moisture content. Make sure to stay hydrated at all times and also have regular applications of your moisturizers and skin creams. Keep focus on your feet.
4. Store supplies away from sunlight. Another common mistake that we tend to make is to keep our supplies anywhere, even at places where there can be direct sunlight hitting the supply. Follow your supply instructions well and as mentioned on the package.
5. Keep an emergency kit ready. Since diabetes complications can arise anytime, it is advised to keep your diabetes emergency kit ready at all times. This does not depend on the current weather, but should be a general practice.
6. Eat right. With the winters kicking in, pakoras and fried food become a common preparation to almost all households. Make sure to watch what you are eating. An occasional bite or two may not cause much harm but make sure not to indulge in completely and shooting up your sugar levels.
7. Keep a glucometer handy. It is important that you keep a check on your sugar levels all times. You can do this using a glucometer that lets you monitor and manage sugar levels even on the go. The regular monitoring can help you alter and adapt to changing sugar levels.