It's really not fair when you're already coping with diabetes, but even diabetics get ill with colds, the flu, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches, indigestion, and other illnesses. It's very important for diabetics to understand how to correctly manage their illness and to be prepared in advance by having the right items on hand before a sick day occurs.
Talk With Your Doctor Before You're Sick - Consult with your doctor when you are feeling well and create a plan and a written list of items to have on hand for sick days. Your sick day plan should include a list of medications to take, how often to check your blood sugar, how to adjust your insulin, and when you should call your doctor or head to the emergency room.
Make a Sick Day Kit - When you have a list, get a sick day bag and fill it up with the list of medicines your doctor recommends, with extra diabetic supplies, tissues, a list of appropriate food and drinks, and whatever else your doctor suggests. If your recommended food and drinks come in cans, think about stocking up.
Check Your Blood Sugar Often - When you're ill, insulin may not work effectively, increasing your blood sugar. It's important to check your blood sugar more than usual.
Take Your Insulin Injections - You may not want to deal with your insulin injections, but you have to. You don't want your blood sugar to spiral out of control, so take your insulin when required or as prescribed.
Check Your Ketones - Your doctor may advise checking your ketones when you're ill, even if you don't check them on a regular basis. You check the ketones in your urine with a test strip. Your doctor will show you how and will set you up with the proper test strips.
You've Got to Eat - You may not feel like it, especially if you are feeling queasy, but you have to eat. Healthy food is not only your fuel, but it's also good medicine. Some foods that some people find easy on the stomach include gelatin, cereal, toast, and soup.
Vomiting and Diarrhea - Make sure to have a plan with your doctor about what to do if you are vomiting or have diarrhea. It's very easy to become dehydrated. Your doctor may advise that you try to sip water or some other fluids with sugar/carbohydrates if your blood sugar gets low.
Colds and Flu - Unfortunately, over the counter cold and flu medications can considerably affect your blood sugar. Many cough syrups have glucose, dextrose, and fructose, which are all sugars. Often aspirin can make blood sugar go down. It still may be possible to use the medicines to help you feel better, just make sure you use the ones on your doctor's list.
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