On a Sick Day
Many kinds of illnesses can disrupt your blood
glucose control. Viral colds or flu, infections, injuries,
fever, vomiting, and diarrhea all increase your need for insulin.
Emotional stress and surgery can also affect blood glucose
level. Learning to manage "sick days" at home can
help you avoid hospitalization and make you feel more comfortable
until your illness has passed.
Care when you are SICK
Care for those with Type 1
NEVER omit your insulin, even if you can't eat. You may need
additional insulin, but do not take additional oral hypoglycemic
pills.
Test your blood sugar every 4 hours. If you need help, ask
for it!
If you have Type I Diabetes, test your urine for ketones every
4 hours.
Drink clear liquids (at least ½ cup every hour), and
eat light foods .
Care for those with Type2
If you take oral hypoglycemic pills, you must watch for signs
of low blood sugar during any illness that causes you to vomit
or keeps you from eating and drinking normally. The hypoglycemic
pills you took before your illness continue working to lower
your blood sugar even when you do not increase it by taking
in food. Try to replace missing carbohydrates by eating soup,
biscuits, or toast, or by drinking ginger ale or cola.
Test your blood glucose or urine every few hours. If your
blood glucose levels are all below 120 or your urine tests
are all negative for sugar, and you are shaky, nervous, sweaty,
pale, weak, or dizzy, or have tingling or numbness in your
hands or feet, call your doctor immediately or seek emergency
assistance. You will need help to get through this time.
Rest. Do not exercise during an illness.
Call your doctor or diabetes educator if:
You have an obvious infection
Your illness lasts longer than 2 days
You have vomiting or diarrhea more than 8 hours
Your blood sugar is over 400 mg in two consecutive tests
All urine tests are positive for large amounts of sugar
You have moderate to large urine ketones with a blood glucose
level over 200 mg for more than 8 hours
You feel very ill or experience pain
You have extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, or dizziness
Food for sick days
If you are too sick to follow your meal plan, try to replace
carbohydrates with liquids or soft foods. Carbohydrates provide
sugar so that the body does not have to burn fat for energy.
Burning fat produces ketones, which can be dangerous. Carbohydrates
also prevent blood sugar from dropping too low.
Small, frequent feedings may be easier for you to tolerate
during an illness, and help your digestive system provide
energy to your cells more quickly.
Try to drink little quantities of clear liquids such as tea,
apple juice, or diet soda every hour.
If you can keep food down, but still have no appetite, try
something tasty but not very high on sugar, you could also
have small amounts of food from your regular meal plan. Avoid
spicy foods.
Nonprescription Medicines For When You Are Sick
When you get colds, allergies, and upset stomachs.be careful
with Over-the-counter medicines for these ailments.They may
contain ingredients that raise or lower blood glucose, or
that mimic symptoms of high or low blood glucose.
Read the label before you purchase or use any over-the-counter
medication. If there is a warning that people with diabetes
should check with their doctors before using the product,
do so. Some people with diabetes may be able to use the product,
while others may not.
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