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Diabetes and Illness
What To Do When You're Sick

Dealing with diabetes and illness together can leave one in a quandary. A cold, the flu, or an infection can raise your blood glucose levels. All of the above can zap your energy level and your appetite and put exercise on the back burner. And if your blood glucose levels are very high, you could have serious health problems leading to a coma.

Be prepared for illness. Make a plan ahead of time for sick days. Ask your health care team

• how often to check your blood glucose levels
• whether you should check for ketones in your blood or urine
• whether you should change your usual dose of your diabetes medicines
• what to eat and drink
• when to call your health care provider

Take your insulin and other diabetes medicines, even if you are sick and have been throwing up. Ask your doctor about how to adjust your insulin dose based on your blood glucose test results.

Your health care team may recommend the following when managing your diabetes and illness:

• Check your blood glucose level at least four times a day and write down the results in your record book. Keep your results handy so you can report results to your health care team.
• Keep taking your diabetes medicines, even if you’re not able to eat.
• Drink at least 1 cup, or 8 ounces, of water or other calorie-free, caffeine-free liquid every hour while you’re awake.
• If you can’t eat your usual food, try eating or drinking any of the following:
• juice
• saltine crackers
• dry toast
• soup
• broth or bouillon
• popsicles or sherbet
• regular—not sugar-free—gelatin
• milk
• yogurt
• regular—not sugar-free—soda

Your health care provider may say you should call right away if:

• your blood glucose levels are above 240 even though you’ve taken your diabetes medicines
• your urine or blood ketone levels are above normal
• you vomit more than once
• you have diarrhea for more than 6 hours
• you have trouble breathing
• you have a high fever
• you can’t think clearly or you feel sleepier than usual

Call your health care provider if you have questions about taking care of your diabetes and illness.

Source:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health. Taking Care of Your Diabetes at Special Times. http://www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/specialtimes.htm#1 (Accessed 04/09).