Hot Tubs & Diabetics

For diabetics, hot tubs can be as dangerous as they are therapeutic. It is best to use caution if a person with diabetes chooses to relax in a hot tub.

Function

• With temperatures varying from 100 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit, hot tubs can provide relaxation and relief for sore muscles.

Research

• In 1999, a study was conducted by researchers led by Dr. Philip L. Hooper from the Colorado McKee Medical Center. Eight participants soaked in a hot tub for half an hour, six days a week, with steady exercise, a stable diet, and their normal medication dosages. Overall, the participants' average blood glucose levels dropped and they reported increased feelings of health.

Benefits

• Due to the increase in body temperature, hot tubs can provide diabetics with increased blood flow, similar to that which occurs during moderate exercise. For diabetics using insulin therapy, the heat increases insulin absorption from injection sites.

Risks

• Diabetics suffering from diabetic neuropathy, or decreased circulation in their extremities, may be unable to determine if the water is too hot on their feet or legs, which could lead to burns. Due to the rapid change in body temperature and blood pressure, soaking in a hot tub could also cause problems for diabetics with hypertension.

Warning

• For persons taking insulin shots, the higher temperatures in the water could cause insulin absorption rates to increase rapidly, raising the risk for hypoglycemia while in the water. If unattended, a diabetic could have an episode of hypoglycemia and drown.

Recommendations

• If the diabetic keeps a close eye on blood glucose levels before entering a hot tub and avoids long soaking before meals, when hypoglycemia can easily occur, hot tubs can be a beneficial addition to diabetic therapy.