Managing your blood glucose when you are sick

Managing your blood glucose when you are sick

While you are sick, your blood glucose levels will fluctuate more than normal, even if you are following your meal plan. It can cause two things to happen:

1) Blood Sugar to Rise - caused by colds, flu or an infection.
2) Blood Sugar to Fall - caused by having problems with keeping your food and liquids down.
Some general tips to follow while being sick (Remember this is a guideline and consulting your doctor is the best approach to knowing how you can cope with Diabetes and being sick):

- Keep taking your medication, but adjust accordingly and to what your doctor has recommended for sick days.
- Try to keep the intake of food the same as normal, to not disrupt the normal way your meal plan is set. If you are not able to eat, consulting your physician is advised.
- Drink lots of water so you do not become dehydrated. When I am sick, this is an important step for myself as otherwise dehydration can set in quickly.
- Test your sugar more frequently. I test mine about every 2 hrs when sick to ensure it does not go too low or too high.
- Check for ketones if your sugar is hovering in the "High" blood sugar level range as specified by your doctor

In general, it is better for people with diabetes to visit the doctor or emergency room earlier for assistance. Reasons that may tell you to go visit the doctor are:

- Vomitting frequently (more than twice in a 12 hr span)
- Unable to hold down food or liquids
- High blood glucose levels of 17 mmol/L or higher (for a 12 hr span)
- Large amounts of ketones in your urine
- You have signs of dehydration such as a dry mouth

Regards,
Michael Kralj
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