Right now is the season for pesky colds and fevers. People with diabetes are at risk for high blood glucose when they get an infection or illness.. Here are some guidelines for anyone with diabetes who is sick:

1. Take your diabetes medications.

You are at risk for uncontrolled blood sugar when you are ill. Taking your medications will help your blood glucose remain stable. Take your usual dose of medication unless your doctor recommends otherwise.

2. Test your blood sugar more often.

Most experts suggest testing your blood sugar every 4 hours when you are sick. If you have type I diabetes, you will also need to test your urine for ketones often.

3. Drink plenty of fluids.

Vomiting, diarrhea and fever cause your body to lose fluids. The result is dehydration and high blood sugars. Drinking water, tea, broth or other fluids every hour can replace loss fluids.

4. Avoid exercise.

The best activity when you are sick is rest. Exercise causes unnecessary stress to your body during this time.

5. Eat frequently.

Every hour try to eat or drink 15 grams of carbohydrates (1 CHO exchange) when you are sick. Examples of 1 CHO exchange are 1 cup of soup, ½ cup of cooked cereal, ½ cup of fruit juice or regular soda, ½ cup regular Jello, 6 saltine crackers or 10 ounces of milk.

6. Notify your doctor if all else fails.

Call your doctor if you are vomiting or unable to eat, have a blood sugar of 300mg/dl 2 times in a row, have ketones in your urine or have a temperature of 101 °F or higher.

I hope this information will help you get through the flu season. Email me at askard@stablebloodsugar.com if you have any questions. Allison