What to Do When We are Sick?

When one has diabetes, being sick means more than the simple flu and a runny nose. In fact, the flu or cold may cause diarrhea and force them to throw up. In addition, it can increase blood sugar levels. As a result, this person has to pay close attention to their blood sugar levels. If someone is wondering what they should do if they get sick with this chronic condition, this post would help them out.

Sickness and Diabetes: What to Do?

This is what people with this chronic condition should do if they are sick:

1. Check blood sugar levels every four or five hours.
2. If they have type 1 diabetes and the blood sugar level is higher than 240mg/dL or their doctor tells them to test for ketones. If they have ketones in the urine, they should contact their doctor immediately.
3. Check the temperature often.
4. Drink a lot of fluids and avoid consuming solid food. We suggest consuming porridge or healthy foods that will be easy to digest. In addition, they will be able to prevent dehydration.
5. Keep taking insulin as prescribed. It is crucial that they take their insulin even if they can’t eat that well.
6. Prevent blood sugar from dropping by consuming something sweet.
7. They should check in with their doctor and see if they have to stop taking certain medications.
8. They should consult with their doctor if they want to get new medicine for treating the sickness. Also, they should focus on purchasing sugar-free products.

What to Eat Dusing Sickness?

Being sick can put a huge strain on the body. Therefore, we suggest eating small meals that contain carbohydrates such as:

• Mashed potatoes
• Rice soup or noodles
• Gelatin
• Saltines
• Graham crackers
• Cooked cereal
• Bread or bagels
• Porridge

Moreover, one might be able to eat some foods they previously couldn’t. This way, they can prevent blood sugar from dropping even further. Here are some of the foods they can consume when they are sick:

• Regular soft drink (half a cup)
• Sherbet (a quarter cup)
• Ice cream (half a cup) only if you don’t feel nauseous
• Regular pudding (quarter cup) only if you don’t feel nauseous
• Regular half a cup)
• Apple juice (1 ½ cup)
• One popsicle
• A slice of dry toast
• Sports drink (one cup)
• Low-fat milkshake (1 ½ cup)

When to Check-in With a Doctor?

When one is sick and they have diabetes, it is immensely important to pay close attention to the blood sugar level. Therefore, it is immensely important to consult with a doctor if they have any of these signs:

• Blood sugar levels are higher than 240 for more than a day
• Diarrhea or vomiting doesn’t stop for more than 4 hours
• After 2 tests the ketones are still large or moderate
• The fever is higher than 100 Fahrenheit
• Severe chest pain
• Difficulty moving the arms and legs
• Blurry vision
• Loss of balance
• Difficulty speaking
• Memory issues
• Extreme confusion.

If anyone has any of these symptoms, they should seek medical help immediately.