AskNadia: Why High Altitudes Can Shoot Up Your Blood Sugars
Dear Nadia:
Why do my BG’s run high when I hike in higher altitudes?
RU
Dear RU:
When you exercise in elevations at sea level, chances are you have a good idea of how your blood sugar will respond.
Hyperglycemia
Exercising in high altitudes such as hiking generally, reduces your oxygen intake and stresses your body. Stress releases cortisol, the stress hormone, causing blood sugars to go up. The change in altitude may increase your blood sugar which in turn may change your insulin or medication requirements. Additionally, research demonstrates that carbohydrate metabolism may be comprised at higher altitudes causing insulin resistance. Ask your healthcare professional how you should change your medication dosing when hiking in high altitudes.
Hypoglycemia
If you get dehydrated from hiking you will experience similar symptoms to hypoglycemia; shortness of breath, nausea, and rapid heart beats.
Blood Glucose Meters, CGM’s & Insulin Pump’s
Medical devices can vary in their accuracy at higher elevations. If one device is less accurate, it will be confusing to isolate which one is impacting your blood sugar. Calibrate all your devices to confirm their accuracy before you start your trip. This will add another layer of security to assure your blood sugar readings are within the proper range for your devices.
I would also recommend testing your blood sugar before, during and after your hike to give you a baseline on how higher elevations impact your blood sugars, making your return trip less stressful and more predictable.
We are so lucky to live in a time where we have easy access to medical devices. If you have high blood pressure have a discussion with your healthcare professional about high altitudes and precautions you may need to take. Definitely take up an arm or wrist blood pressure device to test so you have a baseline as to how your blood pressure resounds to high altitudes.
If possible, bring up extra diabetes supplies just in case you have accuracy issues with one medical device.
If you would like tips on managing your blood sugars- join my diabetes masterclass.
Follow us on:
Disclaimer:
Nadia’s feedback on your question is in no way intended to initiate or replace your healthcare professional’s therapy or advice. Please check in with your medical team to discuss your diabetes management concerns.
AskNadia and receive her unique perspective on your question.
About Nadia:
Nadia Al-Samarrie is a diabetes patient advocate. She helps people living with diabetes make informed decision to prevent the devastating effects of diabetes complications.
AskNadia (ranked #1 by Google), named “Best Diabetes Blog for 2019 by Healthline. With 24 nominations, Nadia Al-Samarrie’s efforts have made her stand out as a pioneer and leading patient advocate in the diabetes community.
Nadia was not only born into a family with diabetes but also married into one. She was propelled at a young age into “caretaker mode,” and with her knowledge of the scarcity of resources, support, and understanding for people with diabetes, co-founded Diabetes Interview, now Diabetes Health magazine.
Under her reign- Diabetes Health magazine was named one of the top 10 magazines to follow in the world for 2019 by Feedspot Blog Reader.
Nadia has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and other major cable networks. Her publications, medical supply business, and website have been cited, recognized, and published in the San Francisco Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal, Ann Landers advice column, former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca, Entrepreneur magazine, Houston News, Phili.com, Brand Week, Drug Topics, and many other media outlets.
