Diabetes and illness

       Illness is something everyone gets the opportunity to experience. The missed days of work,  sore  throat, high temperature, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.  No one pencils in their schedule a day to be sick. No one really hopes they will end up feeling miserable. You have been sick many times in your life. You wait it out, take extra vitamin C and take a nap. After a few days you are back to your old self again.   If you have diabetes you know it is not that simple.
Diabetes mixed with illness generally means a longer recovery time,  possible change in diabetes medicine, and increased need for blood sugar testing. Many people immediately notice a spike in blood sugar. It is not unheard of to see a  200 point increase.
Feeling "under the weather" is stressful for your body. The body's normal response for stress is to increase blood sugar "in case" it is needed.  You may need to temporarily change how you treat your diabetes. 
 
 The following steps can be helpful.

-Continue to take your diabetes medications. There is an increased need for diabetes medications while you are sick. Your body needs the help to keep blood sugar down.  It might need to be adjusted by your doctor but don't make the mistake of skipping it.

-Drink fluids throughout the day. Illness generally brings high 
temperatures, vomiting, and diarrhea with it. All these things either use fluid or prevent you from absorbing it. Water is crucial to your health.  You need to avoid dehydration. You can do this by drinking fluid throughout the day. Try for 1 cup per waking hour or 10 cups/day. I don't own any stock in the Gatorade company and they haven't paid me to make the following comment.  I like Gatorade the best. It is absorbed just as quickly as water but has electrolytes too. It also comes in regular or sugar free(G2). I personally keep extra bottles of it on hand.

-Call your health care provider if you have any questions. Don't let it wait. Your health can really take a turn for the worst quickly with diabetes. Remember, they get paid to answer your questions.
 

-Check urine for ketones if blood sugar gets above 250.

-Test your blood sugar more often, even up to every 2-3 hours, especially if it is very high or  very low.

  It is very helpful to get a "sick day kit" together and keep it for those unexpected times you are sick. This should include extra testing supplies and/or pump supplies, medications for cough, diarrhea, pain, etc. Include snacks such as soup, apple sauce, crackers. It is important to have plenty of fluid as well. For more information on "Sick Day Kits" follow the link.ADA sick day
Store your kit in a backpack or other "easy to grab container". You should take this kit with you when you go out of town or other over night trips.