How To Manage Diabetes When Down With Flu Or When Blood Glucose Levels Rise

Illnesses like cold or flu may make it harder to keep blood glucose within the required range as the body releases hormones to fight the infections that, in turn, raise blood glucose levels.

People who have diabetes need to plan their actions to manage blood glucose levels and any associated complications for when they may get unwell.

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By Dr Jayshree Swain

Diabetes management is complex and can get even more complicated when you are unwell. Illnesses like cold or flu may make it harder to keep blood glucose within the required range as the body releases hormones to fight the infections that, in turn, raise blood glucose levels. This makes it critical, especially for people with type-1 diabetes, as they depend on insulin to maintain their glucose levels. Moreover, diabetes elevates the chances of increasing the severity of infections. So, people who have diabetes need to plan their actions to manage blood glucose levels and any associated complications for when they may get unwell. So here are some dos and don’ts of diabetes care when you are ill.

What must be done

Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, when unwell, as illnesses cause dehydration, which is aggravated due to trips to the bathroom when your blood glucose levels rise.  

Monitor blood glucose more frequently, every three to four hours and record the numbers. 

Eat smaller portions every few hours, ensuring intake of daily calorie requirements. If solids are difficult to eat, try a favourite broth, soup, juice, or frozen fruit pops. 

Record changes in health, the type of medication taken, and food eaten. Note any episodes of vomiting, diarrhoea, shivering, fainting, etc., to discuss with the doctor. 

What must not be done

Skip, double, alter or adjust diabetes medication without consulting a doctor. Continue with the treatment plan, including taking insulin and medicines as usual.

Self-medicate for illnesses without discussing condition and symptoms, with a family physician who knows the health history and can prescribe sugar-free medication. 

Ignore any signs that indicate complications or emergencies. Keep an eye on excessive thirst or urination, loss of consciousness, difficulty in breathing, etc. and call a doctor if needed. 

Put off treatment. Make sure not to isolate to let the illness subside; instead, go to the doctor and take the shots, medication, and antibiotics that will help in faster recovery.

It is also vital for patients to discuss with their doctors how to approach the days they are unwell and to know what they are supposed to do. It is also advisable to keep handy a list of important information, including doctors’ and caregivers’ phone numbers, medications and emergency services contact numbers.

(The author is the DM ENDO, Sum IMS Medical College and Hospital, Bhubaneswar).

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