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Make the
Best of Sick Days
Most people
have days when they feel a little under par. Diabetics and nondiabetics
alike get colds, flu, upset stomachs, and other common ailments. When
this happens, rest, relax, and make the best of the day. However, keep
in mind that, as a diabetic, these minor ailments can be more serious
for you than for others because illnesses of any kind can temporarily
interrupt your control of your disease.
Illness of any type promotes stress, and stress in turn can raise your
blood sugar level and cause a loss of control. If you are unable to eat
or drink because of illness, you will learn to make certain adjustments
in your insulin therapy. At some times you will be able to make these
adjustments yourself without calling your physician. At other times you
will want to seek professional advice. Self monitoring of your glucose
level will be important at such times, and when you call your physician
you may be asked about the results of your at home tests. Some specifics
to remember regarding sick days are:
• Keep your physician's phone number handy. Know how to reach other
members of the health care team. Be sure others in your family also have
these phone numbers.
• Ask your physician and health care team to prepare a sick day menu
plan for you during one of your routine visits. They will give you
several variations of your regular menu plan to follow when you do not
feel well.
• Carefully record results of your home urine and /or blood tests. Do
not omit your home tests, especially if you do not feel well. Also
record your fluid and food intake so that you can report these to your
doctor when you call on a sick day.
• Take your usual dose of insulin. If your self tests are high for
sugar, test for ketones; if ketones are present, call your doctor right
away. You may need extra insulin.
• Report vomiting episodes to your doctor right away. Keep available an
antiemetic prescribed for you to control nausea and vomiting and use it
according to your physician's directions.
• If you are ill, your doctor's advice may be to stay in bed for a few
days, drink plenty of liquids, and take medication as advised. Your
health care team will make individual recommendations to help you keep
your diabetes under control. You should notify them when you are ill so
that adjustments in your routine can be made.
• If you have a bacterial infection and your physician prescribes an
antibiotic medication for you, be sure to take it according to
directions. Antibiotics will not interfere with your diabetic control.
• If you have to be hospitalized, you will have some special nutritional
needs. For example, if you require surgery, you might be advised to
consume more calories than usual for a while to build up your strength.
At this time your physician may adjust your insulin dosage to
accommodate for the extra food. Your diabetes health care team will work
closely with your general or specialized surgeon to adjust techniques
such as anesthesia and medications to meet your specific needs at this
time.
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