How do you manage diabetes when you are sick?
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Follow these additional steps when you’re sick even if your blood sugar is within your target range:
- Continue taking your insulin and diabetes pills as usual.
- Test your blood sugar every 4 hours and keep track of the results.
- Drink extra calorie-free liquids*, and try to eat as you normally would.
What is diabetes and its management?
Diabetes can affect almost every part of your body. Therefore, you will need to manage your blood glucose levels, also called blood sugar. Managing your blood glucose, as well as your blood pressure and cholesterol, can help prevent the health problems that can occur when you have diabetes.
How does being sick affect diabetes?
“Infection is a metabolic stress, and it raises your blood sugar,” Dr. Garber says. It can be hard to know how you will respond to each infection, he adds. Being sick can also lead to dehydration, eating differently, oversleeping, and losing track of your schedule — all of which can make diabetes management harder.

How does illness affect blood sugar?
Illness and infections, as well as other forms of stress, can raise your blood glucose (sugar) levels. As part of the body’s defence mechanism for fighting illness and infection, more glucose is released into the blood stream. This can happen even if you’re off your food or eating less than usual.
Why is it important to manage diabetes?

It’s important to keep your blood sugar levels in your target range as much as possible to help prevent or delay long-term, serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. Staying in your target range can also help improve your energy and mood.
What is the goal of diabetes management?
Treatments. The goal of diabetes management is to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as safely possible. Since diabetes may greatly increase risk for heart disease and peripheral artery disease, measures to control blood pressure and cholesterol levels are an essential part of diabetes treatment as well.
How do you prevent DKA when sick?
Drink lots of sugar-free, caffeine-free liquids. Sip small amounts every few minutes if you are feeling sick to your stomach. If your blood glucose is more than 250 mg per dL, do not eat or drink foods that are high in carbohydrates.
Can being sick cause blood sugar to rise?
Why Blood Sugar Spikes When You’re Sick Your body releases stress hormones like epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) to fight the illness. These hormones can raise your blood sugar levels and increase the amount of insulin your body needs.
Does illness cause blood sugar to rise?
Illness or stress can trigger hyperglycemia because hormones produced to combat illness or stress can also cause your blood sugar to rise. Even people who don’t have diabetes may develop transient hyperglycemia during severe illness.
Why does blood sugar go up when sick?
Your body releases stress hormones like epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) to fight the illness. These hormones can raise your blood sugar levels and increase the amount of insulin your body needs. This makes it harder for your body to produce enough insulin to keep up with the increased demand.
How can diabetes symptoms be controlled?
Lifestyle Changes to Help Control Diabetes
- Exercise.
- Eat a Well-Balanced Diet.
- Reduce Stress.
- Quit Smoking.
- Cut Back on Alcohol.
- Take Notes.
How do you educate a patient with DKA?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWDd8Cr4WJ4