Managing diabetes during illness can be challenging, as illness can affect blood sugar levels and make it difficult to manage diabetes effectively. Here are some tips for managing diabetes during illness:
- Monitor blood sugar levels more frequently: During illness, blood sugar levels can fluctuate more than usual, so it’s important to check blood sugar levels more frequently, such as every 2-4 hours.
- Keep taking diabetes medications: Even if you’re not eating as much as usual, it’s important to keep taking diabetes medications as prescribed. If you’re taking insulin, your healthcare provider may need to adjust your dose based on your blood sugar levels.
- Stay hydrated: Illness can cause dehydration, which can affect blood sugar levels. Drink plenty of water and other fluids to stay hydrated.
- Eat regularly: Even if you don’t feel like eating, it’s important to eat regular meals and snacks to help manage blood sugar levels. If you can’t eat your usual meals, try to eat small, frequent meals and choose foods that are easy to digest, such as soup, crackers, or applesauce.
- Have a sick day plan: Work with your healthcare provider to create a sick day plan, which outlines what to do if your blood sugar levels are too high or too low. It should also include what medications to take, when to call your healthcare provider, and when to seek emergency medical care.
- Rest and take care of yourself: Rest is important when you’re ill, so take the time to rest and take care of yourself. Stress and lack of sleep can affect blood sugar levels, so it’s important to manage stress and get enough sleep.
- Monitor for signs of complications: Illness can increase the risk of complications, such as diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state. Monitor for signs and symptoms, such as high blood sugar levels, increased thirst, frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty breathing, and seek medical attention if necessary.
It’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider to manage diabetes during illness, as they can provide guidance and support to help you manage your diabetes effectively.