My Diabetes Project – Illness
Diabetes information and services in Europe is coordinated by:
When we are sick, our bodies makes stress related hormones to help fight the illness but they can raise blood sugar levels. Being sick can change our appetite and activity levels and complicate managing diabetes.
- Plan ahead: create a sick day plan with your health care team to include instructions on what medicine you could take, how often to measure your blood sugar, urine ketone levels, how to adjust your medicine dosages, and when to call your doctor.
- Continue taking your diabetes medication—but only if you are still eating. If vomiting or nausea affects your appetite, tell your doctor, as you may need to adjust your insulin or stop taking your medications as you might be at risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
- Stick to your diabetes meal plan — only if you are eating normally. Keep a supply of food that is easy on the stomach, i.e. crackers, soups, apple sauce, jelly and drink lots of water or other no-calorie fluids (like tea) to stay hydrated. If you are taking insulin you might need to sip sugar-sweetened beverages (juice or sports drinks are common), to stop your blood sugar getting too low.