Managing Diabetes in the UAE Climate
The UAE's intense summer heat — regularly exceeding 45°C — creates unique challenges for the nearly one in five residents living with diabetes. High temperatures affect how the body absorbs insulin, how quickly blood glucose rises, and how reliable your glucose monitoring device is. Being aware of these interactions can be the difference between staying safe and a dangerous hypoglycaemic episode.
Insulin stored above 30°C degrades rapidly and loses potency. Never leave your insulin in a car, even briefly, and use an insulated cooling pouch when travelling. Similarly, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors and testing strips can give inaccurate readings if exposed to extreme heat — keep spares in an air-conditioned space and test more frequently during outdoor activities.
Dehydration is a major trigger for hyperglycaemia. During summer, aim for at least 2.5–3 litres of water daily and avoid sugary sports drinks. If you are fasting during Ramadan, work with our endocrinology team at least four weeks in advance to safely adjust your medication timing and dosing — this is a critical step many patients skip.
Our clinic offers structured Diabetes Care programmes that include quarterly HbA1c monitoring, nutritional counselling, foot-care checks, and retinal screening — all under one roof. If your blood sugar control has become harder to manage as the summer approaches, book a review appointment with our team today.
