Always make sure that you drink enough fluid. Dehydration is a danger for diabetics, especially when their numbers are high.
When blood volume is low because of dehydration, the concentration of glucose increases. Not only does dehydration increase blood glucose levels, but increased blood glucose levels make dehydration worse because the body disposes of the excess glucose in the urine, leading to increased water loss.
The fluid doesn’t have to be water, but make sure it isn’t something with caffeine such as tea or coffee. Water is pure and mostly free, so why not water?
It’s especially important to stay hydrated during heavy exercise and hot steamy weather. I live near Washington D.C., and every summer we have reports of tourist being overcome by the heat and needing medical attention.
Vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, vigorous exercise, illness, high temperatures and humidity and too much alcohol consumption can cause dehydration. The symptoms of mild dehydration are thirstiness, fatigue and headache. People who are moderately to severely dehydrated may experience irritability, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, confusion and potentially, coma and death. Children, elderly people and those with chronic illnesses are more susceptible to dehydration.
People with uncontrolled diabetes may have markedly elevated blood glucose levels. The American Diabetes Association, reports that persistent glucose levels above 600 mg/dL can cause a hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state, which can be life-threatening. If this state is untreated, severe dehydration will result, leading to seizures, coma and death. Another cause of severe dehydration is ketoacidosis, which more frequently occurs in type-1 diabetics but can also occur in type-2. In the condition of ketoacidosis, glucose levels and ketones are markedly elevated, again leading to excessive urination and severe dehydration.
Don’t wait until you feel thirsty, in many cases you’re already dehydrated before this happens. Just make it a regular habit to drink fluid on a regular basis. Here’s a chart to remind you of the benefits:
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Lizzy
© EMO 5/12
Knowledge is Power
When I was diagnosed, close to 11 years ago, I was told “you are diabetic”, given a prescription for some medication, and told to wait for a nurse to come in and give me an insulin shot. When I picked up the prescription I was given a 10-page booklet telling me “All About How to Mange Diabetes”, and sent on my way. That was the extent of my “education”. 
A good way to know if you are getting enough water is to follow this rule. Drink half your body weight in ounces throughout the day. The key is taking in that water throughout the day. It doesn’t do your body good to think of taking in water as a chore. If you take in all of your water in the morning and think “Phew! That’s it.” you are wrong. Doing that you make your body wonder when it’s going to get more so it will store it in your kidneys.
Its so easy to get your daily intake of ounces. Figure out how many ounces you need in a day then divide it by five. Now all you need to do it drink a glass for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Don’t forget to have one with you snacks. It’s really easy and you will see that you eat less.
Hi Kat,
I’m not sure about half your body weight, but the other advise sounds like a good idea.
Lizzy
No! Not half your body weight, not sure even fish can do that. Just half your body weight IN OUNCES.
LOL
Thats’s still a lot since you also drink other fluids too. I knew you meant ounces.
Lizzy
Thank you for the reminder Lizzy! As an all day coffee drinker I tend to forget how much I need water. Puting a copy of this “water benefits” chart on my fridge will serve as a good motivator.
Love your site!
Susan D
Thanks Susan,
I have the same problem, as long as I have my coffee to sip I don’t think about other fluid. This is not good and I have to keep reminding myself.
Maybe I should paste a copy too! 
Lizzy