7 Diabetes Management Tips for Summer
From staying hydrated to knowing the signs of low blood sugar, here’s what you need to know
As summer begins, it’s important to maintain good health and safety when it comes to your diabetes management. The summer months can throw off your routine, and possibly your blood sugar levels. What’s more — you could be at higher risk for low blood sugar due to warmer temperatures, increased physical activity and changes in eating or sleep habits.
Here are seven helpful tips to managing diabetes this summer:
- Stay hydrated. Carry a water bottle with you and drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Higher temps can lead to increased sweating and fluid loss, which can impact blood sugar levels. Avoid sugary or alcoholic drinks and opt for unsweetened beverages.
- Plan meals and bring snacks. Include a combination of carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats as well as fresh fruits and veggies in your meals to help keep your blood sugar levels stable. Be sure to stock up on snacks to avoid low blood sugar and stay on top of your food schedule.
- Test your blood sugar often. Exposure to the sun and heat can have unique implications if you have diabetes. Heat and humidity can change how your body uses insulin, which causes blood sugar levels to fluctuate and raises the risk of low blood sugar. You may need to adjust your dose of insulin and modify what you eat and drink. Remember to talk to your doctor before making any changes to your medications.
- Know the symptoms of low blood sugar. Symptoms of low blood sugar can be easily missed or mistaken for symptoms from excessive heat. For example, sweating and fatigue can be common in hot weather, but they could also indicate that your blood sugar is low. Educate those around you about the possible signs and symptoms of low blood sugar and ensure they know what to do in case of a low blood sugar emergency.
- Create a plan for very low blood sugar and carry ready-to-use glucagon. If you’re taking insulin or sulfonylureas for your diabetes, you’re at increased risk of very low blood sugar. Low blood sugar emergencies can happen unexpectedly and demand quick action. That’s why it’s important for you and your loved ones to have a treatment plan that includes ready-to-use glucagon. Gvoke HypoPen® (glucagon injection) is a ready-to-use rescue pen that you can count on to bring very low blood sugar levels back up in 2 simple steps.3 Talk to your healthcare provider today if you don’t already have prescription, or your glucagon is expired.
- Protect yourself and your diabetes equipment from the sun. Wear sunscreen with a high SPF, a broad-brimmed hat and lightweight, breathable clothing. Keep insulin, glucagon and glucose monitoring supplies away from direct sunlight and extreme heat. If you’re enjoying outdoor activities, take regular breaks in shaded areas or air-conditioned spaces to prevent overheating.
- Exercise smartly. Regular physical activity is beneficial for managing diabetes, but it requires additional care during summer. Engage in outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day to avoid extreme heat. Stay hydrated and carry a source of fast-acting carbohydrates, as well as ready-to-use glucagon.
With these safety considerations in mind, you’ll be ready for the summer heat and what to do in case of very low blood sugar. Remember to talk to your healthcare provider for personalized advice based on your health needs.
Meet Gvoke HypoPen
Gvoke HypoPen is the ready-to-use rescue pen anyone can administer with confidence1
- In a study with simulated emergency conditions, 99% of people used it correctly1
- Simple to administer at a moment’s notice, like an epinephrine autoinjector for severe allergic reactions
- You can even self-administer it in certain situations2
- Can be administered to the outer upper arm, lower abdomen or outer thigh3
- Brings very low blood sugar back up quickly and safely3†
†In two clinical studies in adults, blood sugar levels that were less than 50 mg/dL increased to above 70 mg/dL or increased by at least 20 mg/dL within 13.8 minutes on average.
REFERENCES:
- Valentine V, Newswanger B, Prestrelski S, Andre AD, Garibaldi M. Human factors usability and validation studies of a glucagon autoinjector in a simulated severe hypoglycemia rescue situation. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2019;21(9):522-530.
- Gvoke HypoPen [instructions for use]. Chicago, IL: Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc; 2023.
- Gvoke [prescribing information]. Chicago, IL: Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc; 2023.
INDICATION AND SAFETY SUMMARY
GVOKE is a prescription medicine used to treat very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) in adults and kids with diabetes ages 2 years and above. It is not known if GVOKE is safe and effective in children under 2 years of age.
WARNINGS
Do not use GVOKE if:
- you have a tumor in the gland on top of your kidneys (adrenal gland), called a pheochromocytoma.
- you have a tumor in your pancreas called an insulinoma.
- you are allergic to glucagon or any other inactive ingredient in GVOKE.
GVOKE MAY CAUSE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, INCLUDING:
High blood pressure
GVOKE can cause high blood pressure in certain people with tumors in their adrenal glands.
Low blood sugar
GVOKE can cause low blood sugar in certain people with tumors in their pancreas called insulinomas by making too much insulin in their bodies.
Serious allergic reaction
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have a serious allergic reaction including:
- rash
- difficulty breathing
- low blood pressure
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
The most common side effects of GVOKE in adults include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- swelling at the injection site
- headache
The most common side effects of GVOKE in children include:
- nausea
- low blood sugar
- high blood sugar
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- headache
- pain or redness at the injection site
- itching
These are not all the possible side effects of GVOKE. For more information, ask your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
BEFORE USING
Before using GVOKE, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- have adrenal gland problems
- have a tumor in your pancreas
- have not had food or water for a long time (prolonged fasting or starvation)
- have low blood sugar that does not go away (chronic hypoglycemia)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
HOW TO USE
- Read the detailed Instructions for Use that come with GVOKE.
- Use GVOKE exactly how your healthcare provider tells you to use it
- Make sure your relatives, close friends, and caregivers know where you store GVOKE and how to use it the right way before you need their help.
- Act quickly. Having very low blood sugar for a period of time may be harmful.
- Your healthcare provider will tell you how and when to use GVOKE.
- After giving GVOKE, your caregiver should call for emergency medical help right away.
- If you do not respond after 15 minutes, your caregiver may give you another dose, if available. Tell your healthcare provider each time you use GVOKE. Low blood sugar may happen again after receiving an injection of GVOKE. Your diabetes medicine may need to be changed.
HOW TO STORE
- Keep GVOKE in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it.
- Store GVOKE at temperatures between 68°F and 77°F.
- Do not keep it in the refrigerator or let it freeze.
Keep GVOKE and all medicines out of the reach of children.
For more information, call 1-877-937-4737 or go to www.GvokeGlucagon.com.
Please see the Full Prescribing Information for Gvoke