When you have diabetes, it's essential to know how to handle illness to maintain stable blood glucose levels and prevent complications. Whether you're dealing with a common cold, flu, or any other health condition, being unwell can impact your diabetes management. This article discusses the importance of sick day rules and provides guidelines on managing diabetes during illness, especially if you need to go to the hospital.
Understanding How Illness Affects Diabetes
When you're sick or stressed, your body releases more glucose into your bloodstream as part of its defense mechanism. This can lead to dangerously high blood glucose levels, which, for people without diabetes, can be managed by producing more insulin. However, individuals with diabetes lack this natural regulation, making illness an additional challenge in managing their condition.
Moreover, certain symptoms of diabetes can exacerbate the effects of the underlying illness or infection, making it even more challenging to recover. For instance, feeling nauseous or experiencing diarrhea can cause a drop in blood sugar levels due to reduced food absorption.
The Importance of Staying Hydrated
During illness, you may experience a fever, vomiting, or other conditions that lead to dehydration. For people with diabetes, severe dehydration combined with high blood sugar levels can require hospitalization. Therefore, it's crucial to remain vigilant about hydration during illness and prioritize consuming unsweetened drinks regularly.
Your Sick Day Rules: Managing Diabetes During Illness
Seek Expert Guidance: If you're unsure about managing your diabetes while you're sick, don't panic. Contact your diabetes healthcare team who can provide assistance and answer any queries you may have.
Continue Diabetes Medications: Even if you don't feel like eating, it's crucial to continue taking your diabetes medications. However, some medicines may require adjustments or temporary discontinuation. Contact your diabetes team or a local pharmacist for appropriate advice when you're feeling unwell.
Frequent Blood Sugar Checks: If you monitor your blood sugar at home, increase the frequency of testing to at least every four hours, including during the night. If you don't typically test at home, familiarize yourself with the signs of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels).
Stay Hydrated: Consume plenty of unsweetened fluids and eat small, regular meals during your illness.
Type 1 Diabetes and Ketone Testing: If you have type 1 diabetes, it's crucial to check for ketones when your blood sugar level is 15mmol/l or higher (or 13mmol/l if you use an insulin pump). Contact your diabetes team if you find ketones.
SGLT2 Inhibitors: If you take SGLT2 inhibitors (a certain type of diabetes medication) and become unwell, discontinue these tablets. Check for ketones and monitor blood sugar levels if necessary. Contact your healthcare team for guidance. Remember that different types of SGLT2 inhibitors may have different brand names.
Continuous Nutrition: Try to keep eating or drinking even if you feel unwell. Consume small, carbohydrate-rich snacks or drinks to maintain energy levels. Sip sugary drinks or suck on glucose tablets or sweets if needed. Seek medical assistance promptly if you're unable to keep fluids down.
Managing diabetes during illness requires careful attention and adherence to sick day rules. By staying proactive, monitoring your blood sugar levels, and following the guidelines provided by your healthcare team, you can help prevent complications and ensure a smoother recovery. Remember to inform any healthcare professionals treating you about your diabetes condition to receive the best possible care during your illness. Being prepared and educated about coping with diabetes when unwell is vital for your overall health and well-being.
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