If you have type 1 or insulin dependent diabetes you may want to be careful the next time you go to the gym or just go outside and do a little gardening. Not only do you have to make sure your plasma sugar or glucose levels are maintained, you may also be at risk of overheating. Canadian researchers from the University of Ottawa recently reviewed close to 100 published studies on the subject and determined that type 1 diabetes may cause impairments in heat loss resulting in the increase of inner body temparature ("thermal strain"). Researchers determined that individuals with diabetes have an impaired ability to sense heat and a reduced capacity to dissipate heat. This is likely the result of lower surface or skin blood flow and a deminished sweating response. These individuals are also more likely to dehydrate than individuals without diabetes.
If you are contemplating activities that are likely to make you sweat make sure you drink and stay hydrated. Also, you should visit this link called Exercising in the Heat from the University of Missouri - it provides great strategies and tips on how to deal with exercising under hot conditions. | Sensory nerve endings near the surface of our skin constantly send information about our environment to the brain. Sensing cold, signals will be sent and the brain will order the skin surface vessels to constrict protecting our core temperature. In a warmer environment, signals are sent to dilate vessels to help dissipate heat. Our nervous system also controls our sweat glands – in their active state they secrete sweat, and with it, heat |