Manage Your Health This Summer

By Lu Ann Beavers-Willis, MSN, RN, CDE

What is in store for you this summer? The season of sun and fun is here! Are you enjoying lazy, hazy days after a long and cold, snowy winter and wet spring? During the summer, it’s important to stay on track with self-managing your overall health, especially for those with diabetes. I am going to share some tips to manage your diabetes and stay healthy all summer and into the fall.

1. Going to the beach? Make certain that you keep your skin and feet safe with the following tips:

• Choose a wide-brimmed hat, bring along a cover-up, and put on a high SPF sunscreen
• Wear shoes or sandals when walking on the beach. It may be hard to see something in the sand until you have already stepped on the item and injured your foot. Infections can easily get out of control when germs enter a break in the skin.
• Put sunscreen on the tops of your feet to avoid a burn on this uncovered area.
• Avoid plastic and vinyl shoes since they do not let your feet breathe.
• Keep your feet clean and add moisturizer to the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between the toes.

2. Protect any of your medications and supplies from the heat.

• Use an insulated bag or container to keep your insulin, meter, test strips or any other medical supplies/medications away from damaging heat.
• If applicable, check your meter and strips using control solution if you have concerns that the heat may have damaged them.
• If applicable, inspect your insulin to make certain there has not been a change in the appearance of the medicine.

3. Plan ahead with travel plans for ongoing self-management of diabetes or other chronic illnesses.

• Pack all of your medication and/or diabetes testing supplies in a bag that is readily available. Put all of these necessary items in your carry-on bag if you are traveling by airplane. Also have a list of all your medications along with dosages and times that you take them. A list of all of your health care providers, your pharmacy, and your contact numbers should be packed. Remember to wear or carry medical identification with you that can be an important way to inform others in an emergency situation that you have diabetes or another ailment.

By taking the above precautions, you are well on your way to enjoying good health this summer.

Lu Ann Beavers-Willis MSN,RN, Certified Diabetes Educator, leads individual and group diabetes education sessions.