Diabetologists in the city are bracing themselves for a surge of patients this summer.
People with diabetes and hypertension need to be extra careful as the blistering heat could trigger complications, doctors warn.
“Summer is a time when everyone suffers dehydration, and this is especially dangerous for people with diabetes as they tend to expel fluid from the body more frequently. If they do not consume plenty of fluids, dehydration sets in, and this could result in a rise of blood glucose,” warns diabetes specialist V. Mohan.
“Most diabetics already suffer from lowered sodium levels, which is a condition called hyponatremia. Added to this, patients with high blood pressure are given diuretics, medicines to expel fluid and salt from the body. When a diabetic becomes dehydrated, the urea levels in the urine go up, causing damage to the kidneys,” explains diabetologist Vijay Vishwanathan.
“Even patients who have been restricted salt, protein and water intake need to make allowances for loss of fluids during summer, and should consult their doctor for help in maintaining the fine balance within the body,” says Dr Vishwanathan.
“When we urge patients to consume fluids during summer, some of them drink soft drinks or bottled fruit juices which have high sugar content. We also have patients coming in with high blood sugar because they have eaten too many mangoes . While eating small portions of fruit is alright, diabetics should be very careful as they are prone to boils,” adds Dr Mohan.
Diabetics are also prone to excessive sweating, he says, suggesting drinks like buttermilk and lime juice with salt to help replenish salts lost from the body.
Doctors also receive diabetics with skin problems during the summer, as they are at higher risk of fungal infections, especially in the genital areas. This is a result of sugar being expelled in the urine, and patients need to take care by washing regularly and applying anti fungal creams to prevent further infection.
