Hot Weather Enjoying the sun is one of the things many people look forward to in the summer or on holiday. But if you have Addison’s or adrenal insufficiency, it can be harder to manage your condition in the hot weather and you need to take precautions to keep feeling well and your adrenal insufficiency as well controlled as possible. Check out our top tips for when you’re out and about in the sun Manage your salt & fluid balance Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Beware that bottled water is often very low in sodium and other minerals and just goes straight through you Keep your salt levels up and enjoy lots of salty foods.Have some salty snacks and rehydration fluids (available in most chemists) or salts with you Make sure your fludrocortisone dose is adequate, beware of light headedness and listen to your body. Your dose will be based on UK temperatures mostly under 20°C so don’t be afraid to top up your dose of fludrocortisone if you feel you need to (see ‘The doctor’s view’ in our Living with Addison's book & our "Why Salt?" blog). A reliable sign that you need to take more fludrocortisone is if you start to feel light-headed; this is usually preceded by a feeling of being washed out and drained. Keep cool (you and your meds!) Stay cool & keep out of the sun Dress sensibly – long, light, loose clothes and a hat when in direct sunshine. Check if your medication needs to be kept at a certain temperature, so may need to be refrigerated due to the extreme heat. Make sure to also check how they should be stored (e.g. in a sealed container). Hydrocortisone sodium succinate (previously known as Solu-Cortef) is more stable in hot weather (above 25ºC) so is a good option for when going abroad. It is easy to want to do everything when you’re travelling. You want to pack all the sights and experiences in, with early starts and late nights. You may not feel stressed but think of all the new places, people, the language barriers, the different food. Addison’s and adrenal insufficiency have a knack of catching up with us when we overdo things and just be aware of the telling signs that you need a little rest within the trip or perhaps take an extra half tablet. Additional resources For general advice on Travel, visit our comprehensive page covering all the things to consider before and during your holiday, regardless of your destination. Travelling Follow our links below to head straight to information on a particular topic related to hot weather and travel abroad: Medication Adrenal Crisis Guideline Translations Why Salt? Airport Security Emergency Injection Kits 3-month supply of essential steroid medication Whether you're newly diagnosed or have lived with the condition for years - please join our community and support our cause! You'll receive the latest expert advice, guidance and ADSHG news, whilst being part of our inspiring and supportive community. Become a member today! Join the ADSHG Say hello! Follow us on X/Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok and YouTube. Manage Cookie Preferences