Thursday, May 23, 2013

Avoid Bloodstream Sugar Problems When Sick

Avoid Blood Sugar Problems When Sick


When illness strikes of any kind you may, as a diabetic, not feel like taking your medication, may not think about whether an over-the-counter medicine for a cold or allergy type illness is appropriate or not, and you may just want to stay in bed. However there are certain guidelines that are imperative for you to follow.


Instructions


1. Test your blood sugar more often when ill. You should do a blood glucose test at least four times a day as the stress of the illness could make your blood sugar raise and could cause your diabetes to become out of control. Keep a record of your levels for tracking.


2. Keep the phone close. If your blood sugar should test at over 300mg/dl or are difficult to control, if you have severe vomiting or diarrhea, if your fever is higher than 101 degrees, or if your illness lasts longer that seventy-two hours, call your physician immediately.


3. If your blood sugar results are high, check your urine for ketones and notify your physician immediately if there is more than a very small amount of ketones present.


4. It is important for you to eat and drink regardless of how you feel. If you cannot eat your regular meals, drink one half to one cup of clear liquids like soup broths every hour you are awake. You can also try and eat easily digested foods.


5. If you are taking an over-the-counter medication read the product label before taking the medication. Some medications contain a lot of sugar, especially coated pills and some liquids. Many labels will specify that a medication should not be taken for certain medical conditions. There are more and more medications on the market that are sugar-free like cough suppressants and throat losenges.


6. Return to your normal eating patterns as soon as possible.


7. Plan for sick days before you get sick. Buy cans or cartons of clear liquids, stock your medicine cabinet for diabetic safe allergy, cold, sinus, and other illnesses, make sure you have a thermometer and a small log for writing down your blood sugar levels. Do not forget to keep strips for checking the ketone levels in your urine when you are sick.









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