Diabetes and saunas

[Pocky]

Hello there! My mother has been living with diabetes for a few years now (type 2 I believe? She is Insulin resistant)

I am soon to have a sauna in my garden and she is very excited on coming over to use it! However I am just being cautious, would it be ok/safe for use by someone who is diabetic?

I've read articles saying it's good, and articles saying it's not..

Thanks very much

 

[helli]

My understand (as someone with T1 not T2) is there are a few things to be aware of with regard to saunas and diabetes
- the heat can impact blood sugars. When our bodies are stressed, such as feeling too hot, out blood sugars can rise.
- the impact of the heat (sweating, feeling light-headed) are similar to those of a hypo and, therefore, we may miss the symptoms of blood sugars going too low.
- the heat can affect "diabetes tech". CGMs can report incorrectly and pump manufacturers advise removing them before going into a sauna.

With this in mind, I do not shy away from saunas but I make sure I test my blood sugars a little more often than usual, I remove my pump and I don't test my Libre.

 

[grovesy]

It will also depend on what if any medication they are on.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I was under the impression that it was a hypo risk that was the reason for the caution about saunas and hot tubs - because you can be more sensitive to insulin at warmer temperatures, and blood flow is likely to increase near the surface of the skin.

I think @trophywench may have used either or both in the past?

 

[Robin]

There was certainly one of those little investigations on Trust me I’m a Doctor a couple of series ago, where they tested blood sugar for people with diabetes using a hot tub, or just having a hot bath, and it reduced their blood glucose levels.

 

[trophywench]

Ours is a hot tub, the safety instructions for which say not to stay in it longer than 20 minutes in the first place, and neither I nor a T2 on MDI insulin + Metformin friend we used to have. could actually last any longer before getting very close to the magic 4 - we used to come back in the house and sort ourselves out whilst both husbands wallowed to their hearts content before eventually deciding they'd had enough too.

Saunas I can't last that long, nor in a steam room.

I'd always say 'Gently does it!' to anyone else anyway, but especially to PWD.