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Surviving cold and flu season 2009-2010
The common cold, the flu and other illnesses can screw up diabetes.
- Sickness adds stress to your body.
- When under stress, your body releases hormones.
- Hormones can raise your blood glucose or keep insulin from working well.
That's why it's good to plan for cold and flu season. Typically, this begins in December. But experts say the 2009 to 2010 cold and flu season may begin earlier. They also expect H1N1 influenza (swine flu) to add to the illnesses, hospital stays and deaths seasonal flu usually causes.
Before getting sick
Get a flu shot every year.
Learn how remedies affect you. Ask your doctor or diabetes educator what over-the-counter and prescription drugs, herbs and vitamins could help you feel better without affecting your diabetes.
Stock "sick food" that can help regulate blood glucose and is easy on the stomach.
- Broth and sugar-free liquids (water, diet pop, diet gelatin, un-sweetened tea) replace body fluids lost during illness.
- Small amounts of liquids with sugar (regular pop, regular gelatin, juices, sports drinks) can supply your body with fuel for healing.
- Carbohydrates like cooked cereal, rice, saltine or graham crackers, yogurt or sherbet, can help when you feel like eating again.
Keep clean to keep yourself and others from getting sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don't have a tissue available, cough into your sleeve or upper arm instead of your hand.
- Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, blowing your nose, and using the bathroom. You should also wash your hands before eating.
If you get sick
Take your diabetes medicine. Never stop without advice from your doctor, nurse or diabetes educator.
Have someone with you or have someone regularly check in on you.
Test your blood glucose every four hours during the day and at least once at night. You might want to teach someone else to test your blood glucose for you in case you’re too sick to do so.
When to call your doctor
Contact your doctor about any of these symptoms:
- Your blood glucose is consistently very high (more than 300).
- You have questions about how much insulin or oral diabetes medicine to take.
- You cannot eat or drink because of nausea and/or vomiting.
- You have been vomiting more than 6 hours or have had more than five episodes of diarrhea in one day.
- You have a temperature over 101 degrees Fahrenheit or a high temperature that lasts longer than 48 hours.
Dialog home page
H1N1 influenza (swine flu) and seasonal flu: Questions and answers Sick days and diabetes Hand washing 101
Source: Allina Patient Education, Basic Skills for Living with Diabetes, fifth edition, ISBN 1-931876-16-9; Allina Press, Allina Medical Clinic Guidelines for Adult Diabetes Care, 2004, dia-amc-12113 (1/04); American Diabetes Association, Flu & Pneumonia Shots; United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Information
First published: 10/01/2009
Last updated: 10/01/2009
Reviewed by: Mary Frederick, RN, MS, CDE, diabetes program manager, Allina Medical Clinic - Diabetes Education; Dawn McCarter, RN, BSN, CDE, diabetes program coordinator, Allina Medical Clinic - Diabetes Education
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