Every year, many people look forward to winter as the weather gives a respite from the scorching heat, and it is all about festive fervor, excitement and good food. On the other hand, cold months can increase health related ailments like cough, cold, flu. digestive problems, and heart disease, among others. But, did you know that this season can also be especially worrying for diabetics? Today, as we celebrate World Diabetes Day – which was created in 1991 in response to growing concerns about the growing health threat posed by diabetes – let’s celebrate the winter season and diabetesAnd how people with high blood sugar levels can ensure their well-being in the months to come.
Studies show that more cases of diabetes are diagnosed in the winter months summer months Since HbA1c levels are higher in diabetic patients during this season, Dr Aishwarya Krishnamurthy, Consultant, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Vaishali, said the difference is seen across all gender, race, age and diabetes severity groups.
A 2014 study published in National Library of MedicineRelationship between blood sugar control in patients stressed diabetes (DM) and season, “decrease in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in summer or hot weather and increasing in winter or cold weather”.
for the unknown, hemoglobin The A1c (HbA1c) test measures the amount of blood sugar (glucose) attached to your hemoglobin which is “the part of your red blood cells that carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Gives a good indication of how well your diabetes is being controlled.” Diabetes.org.uk Explained.
So, what could explain the increase in HbA1c levels in the winter months? According to Dr Raj Kumar, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indian Spinal Injury Centre, Delhi, the cold temperature stresses the body more than usual, causing it to pass out. stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. “These hormones cause your liver to release more glucose for energy, which raises blood sugar levels,” he explained.
Winter illnesses also contribute to elevated blood sugar levels (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
The secretion of these stress hormones also increases during an illness or infection, which is common during this season. “Whenever the body encounters an infection, stress hormones are released like adrenaline and cortisol, which reduces the effectiveness of insulin – the hormone responsible for lowering glucose levels. This results in high glucose levels which can be difficult to bring back to normal levels,” said Dr Krishnamurthy.
Priya Bharma, chief nutritionist, Shree Balaji Action Medical Institute, agreed, saying that being sick makes diabetes more difficult to manage. “You’ll feel bad and have low energy. To make matters worse, sugar level Often very high in response to colds, flu and viruses,” she said.
But, these stress hormones alone are not responsible for the rise in blood sugar levels during the winter season. The experts highlighted that changing patterns in diet and physical activity also play a major role. “During winters in North India, people consume high calorie foods like” Jaggery, sesame etc., as a cultural practice that may impair glycemic control. There are also many important festivals during this period like Diwali, Dussehra, Lohri, Christmas and New Year when people consider the consumption of certain food items auspicious. This is also the time when there is excessive pollution and cold which prevents the elderly and other vulnerable diabetics from exercising regularly,” said Dr Krishnamurthy.
Bharma agreed and said that there is a tendency to overeat during the winter season because people have more tendency to overeat.comfort food, “Your body may demand more calories to feed itself against the cold. This is a natural response from the body,” she said.
The winter blues also contribute to the increased risk for diabetics. “People feel less during the winter season as they go out less and prefer to stay indoors. Less outdoor exercise in this season can sometimes cause mood swings or depressionWhich can increase the blood sugar level in their body,” Dr Kumar said.
What makes the condition of diabetics even worse during this season is the difficulty in taking blood tests. “Diabetic patients face difficulty in self-testing of blood sugar levels during the cold months because their hands feel cold and painful to test,” Dr Krishnamurthy said, adding, “If your feet Do not stay warm in cold weather, you will experience neurological discomfort and infection. Warm up your hands before taking a blood glucose test. Otherwise the machine will give wrong results.”
This struggle in getting accurate blood test results can be a problem in the winter months because regular monitoring blood sugar level Very important for diabetics. “This is especially true for people who take insulin or who are at risk of developing dangerously low blood glucose levels. The latter group includes people who are taking certain potent anti-diabetic drugs. or who suffer from certain complications related to diabetes that make them particularly vulnerable to the side effects of low blood sugar levels such as chronic kidney failure or Heart disease. If the patient is not checking his blood sugar level, the doctor will be unable to adjust his medications to correct his blood sugar level to the optimum range. Similarly, he will be unable to detect and manage low glucose levels which, if severe and untreated, can result in serious complications like loss of consciousness or seizures,” explained Dr Krishnamurthy. indianexpress.com,
People tend to overeat during the winter season (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
So, what can you do to ensure accurate test results? “If your hands are cold, put them on a hot mug or heater with a towel or thick cloth before doing the test,” Bharma said.
Experts suggest taking nutritious diet and exercise regularly to ensure controlled blood sugar levels. “They should consciously avoid eating high-calorie foods, which are quite common in winters. They have to try to adhere to the restrictions advised. Krishnamurthy said conscious efforts should be made during the festive and holiday season to inculcate healthy eating habits and healthier options, such as replacing high-calorie sweet treats with fruits, cooked or fried snacks and meals. Portion control,” said Dr Krishnamurthy.
He said that winter in India is usually associated with better availability of fresh vegetables and fruits, which should be consumed in preference. “Hot beverages that can be consumed in season should preferably be taken without added sugar, or replaced with nutritious soups.”
Highlighting the benefits of exercise for diabetics, Bharma said, “A little exercise every day will improve insulin sensitivity (in all types of diabetics), allowing the body to better control its blood sugar levels. Keep an eye on your blood sugar levels, especially if you use insulin, if your need for insulin decreases. Keep in mind that physical activity can have an effect on blood sugar for up to 48 hours.”
If Pollution Is Keeping You From Getting Out, Continue physical activities At home. “One can take up indoor sports like yoga, dance, table tennis or basketball, or practice simple exercises at home. Exercising like this will also help keep you warm and help lift the mood,” suggest the experts.
Follow some other tips for diabetics this season:
*take your drugs Regularly.
*Keep your diet balanced and follow the restrictions as per the doctor’s advice.
*Avoid excessive indulgences during the holiday/festival season.
*Get flu vaccines on time and take precautions to avoid Common cold and viral infections through proper hand hygiene and masks.
*In cold weather, diabetics need to take care of their feet – moisturize and check their feet regularly and avoid placing them too near to heaters or soaking them in boiling water as they can irritate your feet. Or ulcers can develop.
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