DEAR DR. GOTT: I’m a 57-year-old type 2 diabetic. For the past three to five years (at least) my sugars have been high; sometimes into the 200s with my A1C over 7. My physician has recently put me on medications that have me very well controlled. I am now closer to (even below) 100.
In the high sugar years, I developed an inability to be exposed to high temperatures at length without nearly fainting, or feeling as if I were were about to faint. I was a police office (retired a year ago) and all of that gear with the dark uniform really took its toll in the summer months. Mowing the lawn or working outside on very hot days, even lower exertion tasks left me quite severely exhausted. Even though I took care to stay well hydrated, I still had problems.
In the two or so months since my sugars have been down, I have noticed that my old aversions to heat have become far less severe. Is there some possible relationship between high sugars and the body’s inability to cope with the heat?
Thanks for your valuable service.
DEAR READER: A known complication of diabetes, particularly poorly-controlled diabetes, is an impaired ability of the body to adjust to rises in temperature. This is due to nerve damage of the body’s temperature regulators and/or sweat glands. Approximately 60-70% of all diabetics are affected. Better control of blood sugar can somewhat improve symptoms.
Another factor that can come into play is that higher temperatures can also affect glucose levels which can necessitate frequent medication modifications during the summer months in order to have adequate control.
Along with your medications, I also urge you to speak with your physician about exercise and making necessary dietary modifications. You may benefit from eating four or five smaller meals a day rather than three larger ones. You should also limit your intake of sugars and other simple carbs which can cause dramatic changes to your glucose/insulin levels.
Readers who are interested in learning more can order my Health Report “Diabetes” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title when writing or print an order form from my website, www.AskDrGottMD.com.
