Laurie-Ell Bashforth | Special to the 51暗网
If you鈥檙e someone who has diabetes, it may be challenging to keep your blood glucose under control when you鈥檙e sick.
At this time of year, while the cold, influenza and COVID-19 viruses are circulating in the community, it鈥檚 important to know you could possibly get sick, and in turn it may affect your sugar levels. Vomiting, nausea, stress hormones and changes in eating all have an affect on those levels. The best way to manage diabetes when you鈥檙e sick is to have a plan in place.
In my past career when I was teaching and mothering small children, what prevented me from taking the rest I needed when I was unwell was thinking, 鈥淚t鈥檚 too much work to take a sick day.鈥� I can鈥檛 believe I thought I was that important to others, but not to myself. It took some age and wisdom to learn, taking care of yourself is the only way you鈥檒l be able to take care of others. Creating a Sick Day Plan ahead of time will help you, and let others help you, when you鈥檙e just not feeling well enough.
Diabetes Sick Day Plan Checklist: Here鈥檚 what to keep in mind
- Check your blood sugar levels regularly, every two to four hours, even overnight, until levels are back in the target range.
- Drink plenty of sugar-free fluids (250 mL or one cup every hour) to prevent dehydration
- Eat well-tolerated foods 鈥� like crackers, soups and applesauce 鈥� to prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Can鈥檛 tolerate these foods? Drink fluids that contain glucose and electrolytes (fruit juice, sports drinks, etc.)
- Try to consume 15 grams of carbohydrates every hour. Examples include one slice of dry toast, six to seven soda crackers, one popsicle or 陆 cup of fruit juice.
- If you take insulin, use it as prescribed, but you may need to adjust your insulin dose while you are sick. Ensure you speak to your healthcare provider about it first.
- If you have high blood sugar, test for ketones, a chemical your body produces when there is too much sugar in your blood.
- Most diabetes medication should be taken as prescribed as your blood sugar rises when you are sick, but some oral medications may need to be stopped if you鈥檙e unable to drink enough fluid to stay hydrated. Ask your doctor or health care team if any of your medications need to be stopped when you are sick.
- Do not start on over-the-counter medications on your own, as many medications may affect your blood sugar level. Talk to your pharmacist to help you make the best choice for any cough, cold or nausea medications.
- Get plenty of rest.
Once you鈥檝e got this plan in place (and it may be as simple as posting it on the fridge) let your family and friends know about it.
And then, here鈥檚 the hardest part: Always let them know when you鈥檙e sick.
One of the myths of vulnerability is that it鈥檚 seen as weak. It鈥檚 quite the opposite.
In our weak moments we think we鈥檙e a burden when we reach out but really, we鈥檙e connecting in a very human way. The act of asking for, and receiving help, is not only a gift to you but also to those who are the givers.
The givers get the opportunity to put into practice Being. Being selfless. Being compassionate. Being kind. Being loving. Being there for someone else.
Having the courage to accept when you鈥檙e weakened, especially when you鈥檙e sick, and ask for help allows others to learn how to act and allows you to learn how to receive, which is incredibly hard but entirely necessary as a human being.
So, it鈥檚 okay to ask someone to stay with you or check on you or buy you crackers and Gatorade when you鈥檙e not feeling well. Let those who care for you really care for you. Soon, you鈥檒l get back to your healthy self, ready to take on life.
Have more questions? Ask your Pharmasave pharmacist.
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