You are a diabetic and have been successfully managing your condition with strict diet control and regular exercise. Unfortunately you fall sick one day, and fail to take that extra care of yourself. As a result, your blood sugar levels shoot up, aggravating your sickness more, in addition to making you vulnerable to diabetic complications. To prevent these from happening, all you should do is put in a little extra effort in taking care of yourself.
Illness worsens diabetes
Illness is a stress for the body; and under stress the body produces certain hormones to combat it. These hormones causes increase in the blood sugar levels. A non-diabetic person can utilize the increased levels of sugar in the blood, but a diabetic person may not be able to do so in the absence of insulin. Therefore, medication and insulin doses may need adjustment to help the body use the increased sugar in the blood. If you sick and experiencing symptoms like vomiting, nausea and fluctuating blood sugar levels, then the doctor should be consulted immediately.
Calling your doctor
You need to be on a look out for warning signs that may mean you should consult your physician immediately. It is essential to check the blood sugar levels more frequently when sick. A blood sugar level of more than 240 mg/dl needs immediate medical attention. In addition, you need to check for urine ketone levels. Ketones are produced by the liver as a part of fat metabolism, when the body uses fat, instead of sugar for energy production. If you are sick, the insulin may be insufficient for the high levels of sugar in the blood. If there is lack of insulin then the body breaks down fats and these ketones appear in urine. Other symptoms that demand medical attention include high fever that is more than 100 F, diarrhea and vomiting for 4 hours and more, severe pain in moving limbs and is problem regarding speech, vision and equilibrium. If the situation demands, you must not hesitate to call the emergency for ambulance. It is always better to consult your doctor before you take any medications over the counter.
Rules to follow during illness
If you are sick, you need to take extra care. To prevent dehydration lots of fluids that are sugar free must be taken at regular intervals. Grapefruit juice, apple juice and orange juice can be taken if sugar levels are as low as 100mg/dl. Caffeine free diet soda, tomato juice and chicken broth can be taken to prevent dehydration. If there is nausea and vomiting, then it is advised to rest for a while and then sip soda without lying flat. You can eat breads, cereal, soups and mashed potatoes. If you are unable to take solid and liquid food together, then it is better for you to go for intravenous fluids which are fluids given into the blood vessel through a tube. Before taking any medication consult the doctor, as certain medications containing sugars raise the blood sugar level.
During a sickness, you should never go without food. It may cause the blood sugar levels to fall down to an alarming level, a condition called as hypoglycemia. The symptoms of hypoglycemia are characterized by hunger, weakness, palpitations, giddiness, convulsions and it may lead even to coma. The blood sugar levels may even rise due to production of glucose by body’s immune system. In such cases, higher dose of insulin or oral medication will be necessary.
Planning your sick day
Taking care of yourself when sick can be much easier if planned carefully. Make it a point to your blood sugar levels regularly like once in 2 to 4 hours. The blood sugar levels must be around 200 mg/dl. Keep a note of all the blood sugar levels. Also, measure ketone levels in urine. Try to eat small frequent meals rather than three large meals. Take fluids to prevent dehydration and take complete rest. You may also store food items for a sick day which includes milk, fruit juices, soups, popsicle, vanilla wafers, saltines, yogurt, cereals, sugar free pudding and custard.
Sailing through a sick day
A diabetic patient on a sick day needs all the support and help he or she can get from family and friends. By taking all the necessary precautions and care, a diabetic can sail through a sick day smoothly without any complications.
