About this topic
Diabetes is an illness that makes your blood sugar too high. Diabetes does not go away. You will control it with healthy eating and taking drugs as ordered by a doctor. ‚
When you are sick with a cold or the flu, you need to take extra care to manage your diabetes. Your body may use insulin differently as it works to fight an illness. The amount of insulin you use may change based on what you are able to eat. Whether or not you are able to exercise may also change your need for insulin. ‚
General
Your diabetes may be well controlled when you are healthy. When you are feeling sick, it is important to have a plan in place to know how to handle your diabetes. It is best if you and your doctor have made this plan together before you are sick. Then you will know what changes you may need to make in your drugs or the foods you eat. You will also know when to call the doctor for help. ‚
What will the results be?
You will be able to manage your blood sugars while you are sick without them becoming too high or too low. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Check your blood sugar at least every 4 hours. Your doctor may want you to check it more often.
- Continue to take your regular diabetes drugs. Check with your doctor to see if you need to take more or less drugs based on your blood sugar.
- Your doctor may want you to check your urine or blood for ketones. When you have ketones, your body is using fat instead of sugar for energy.
- Do not exercise. Exercise can cause more stress on your body.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over the counter drugs. They may affect your blood sugar.
What drugs may be needed?
Your doctor may give you drugs to: ‚
- Lower fever
- Stop throwing up or loose stools
- Help with other signs of illness
Will physical activity be limited?
Get plenty of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Continue to drink liquids like water, plain tea, or diet soft drinks without caffeine.
- If you are not able to keep down solid foods, you may need to drink juice, eat jello, or have a popsicle to keep up your blood sugar levels.
What problems could happen?
- Blood sugar is too high or too low
- Infection
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Be sure to get a flu shot each year.
- Ask your doctor if you need any other shots, such as one for pneumonia.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work.
- Do not get too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
- Do not share towels or hankies with anyone who is sick. Clean commonly handled things like door handles, remotes, toys, and phones. Wipe them with a disinfectant.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Very high or very low blood sugar readings
- Signs of low blood sugar. These include hunger, dizziness, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.
- Signs of high blood sugar. These include sleepiness, blurred vision, passing urine more often, increased thirst, breath has a fruity sweet smell, upset stomach and throwing up, dizziness, or passing out.
- Problems with your stomach like trouble keeping fluids down or too many loose stools
- Ketones in your urine or blood
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Talk with your doctor about a written sick day plan.
- Make sure you always carry a diabetes emergency kit.
Where can I learn more?
American Diabetes Association ‚
http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/parents-and-kids/everyday-life/sick-days.html ‚
Kids Health ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/diabetes_center/living_diabetes/diabetes_sick_days.html ‚
http://kidshealth.org/kid/diabetes_basics/living-diabetes/diabetes_sick.html# ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚