I was having a glorious round of golf on a recent Saturday. All I had to do was par the 18th hole to shoot 85 on a PGA Tour course—quite an accomplishment for a duffer like me. I looked forward to the glory after a hot, sunny round. I completely forgot about my diabetes.
I sliced my tee shot in the water, something I hadn’t done all day. I drowned the next shot as well. By the time I found another ball in my bag, I was seeing spots and feeling weak. Hypoglycemia was creeping in.
Afterward, as I slumped at the bar eating peanut-butter crackers and sipping on a Coke, I went back over my scorecard—91—and wondered how I could have avoided the blood-sugar-induced collapse of my game. Just before I teed off at the 18th, the bar cart had stopped by. Lots of sugary goodies there. But I hadn’t checked my blood sugar all afternoon and, since I was driving a cart (despite a resolution not to) instead of walking, I figured I was fine.
But I hadn’t factored in the heat. It was well over 90 degrees, and it was sapping the life out of me.
Doctors have known for years that diabetics should be cautious in the sun. But a 2006 study of weather-related deaths concluded that diabetics were “particularly susceptible to temperature extremes.”
Another recent small study showed that diabetics have a reduced heat tolerance. Apparently, we sweat less and overheat more.
My golf game notwithstanding, there are good reasons (like staying healthy for my kids) to be wary this summer when I’m out in the heat. Here’s what I’m going to do to beat the heat:
Stay hydrated. High blood sugar can cause you to urinate more frequently.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine. They can act as diuretics; frequent urination can increase your risk of becoming dehydrated. I’ll be drinking water or low-calorie sports drinks instead.
Properly store my meds. My insulin, metformin, and even the strips for my blood-glucose monitor all require storage in a cool, dry place. I’m not leaving them in the car. (These eight tips for safe travel with type 2 diabetes offer some guidelines.)
Check my blood sugar more often—i.e., before I try to set a personal record on the 18th tee.
(PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO)
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