How to Manage Your Blood Sugar When You're Sick

When you're feeling under the weather, the last thing you want to think about is managing your blood sugar. However, being sick can significantly impact your blood sugar levels, making careful management even more crucial. This article provides practical advice on how to effectively manage your blood sugar when you're sick, ensuring your health doesn't take a nosedive during illness.

Why Does Sickness Affect Blood Sugar?

Sickness, even a common cold, puts your body under stress. This stress triggers the release of hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline, which can increase blood sugar levels. At the same time, appetite often decreases when you're ill, making it harder to maintain a regular eating schedule. This combination of factors can lead to unpredictable swings in blood sugar, potentially causing hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). For people with diabetes, effectively managing their blood sugar when ill, commonly called “sick day management”, is crucial.

Key Strategies for Managing Blood Sugar During Sickness

Here's a step-by-step guide to managing your blood sugar when you're sick:

Monitor Your Blood Sugar More Frequently: Check your blood sugar levels more often than usual, ideally every 2-4 hours. This will help you track how your body is responding to the illness and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. Keep a log of your readings to share with your doctor if needed. Can You Reverse High Blood Sugar Steps For Better Health
Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can exacerbate high blood sugar. Drink plenty of fluids like water, sugar-free beverages, herbal teas, and clear broths. Aim for at least 8 glasses of fluids per day, or more if you have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Continue Taking Your Medication: Don't stop taking your diabetes medication, even if you're not eating as much. Your body still needs insulin or other medications to regulate blood sugar. If you're unable to eat solid food, discuss potential medication adjustments with your doctor or diabetes educator.
Eat Small, Frequent Meals: If you can tolerate food, try to eat small, frequent meals or snacks that are easy to digest. Good options include crackers, soup, yogurt, and toast. Avoid sugary drinks and processed foods that can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar.
Know When to Seek Medical Attention: Don't hesitate to contact your doctor or go to the emergency room if you experience any of the following: Understanding Your Blood Sugar Chart A Step By Step Explanation
- Persistent high blood sugar levels (above 240 mg/dL) despite taking insulin or other medications
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe abdominal pain
- Inability to keep down fluids
- Confusion or disorientation
- Signs of dehydration (dark urine, dizziness)

Specific Guidelines Based on Blood Sugar Levels

The specific actions you should take depend on your current blood sugar level. Here's a general guide:

High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia): If your blood sugar is consistently high (above 200 mg/dL), you may need to adjust your insulin dosage or take additional medication as prescribed by your doctor. Drink plenty of water to help flush out excess sugar. Check for ketones (see below).
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia): If your blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL, treat it immediately with 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as glucose tablets, juice, or hard candies. Wait 15 minutes and recheck your blood sugar. Repeat if necessary until your blood sugar returns to a safe level.

Monitoring Ketones

When your body doesn't have enough insulin to use glucose for energy, it starts burning fat instead, producing ketones. High levels of ketones in your blood or urine can lead to a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). It's essential to monitor your ketone levels when you're sick, especially if your blood sugar is high.

You can check for ketones using urine ketone test strips, which are available at most pharmacies. Follow the instructions on the package carefully. If your ketone levels are moderate or high, contact your doctor immediately. Drinking extra water can help flush out ketones, but medical attention is crucial to prevent DKA.

Preparing a "Sick Day" Plan

Being prepared can make a big difference in how well you manage your blood sugar when you're sick. Develop a "sick day" plan with your doctor or diabetes educator. This plan should include: A Simple Daily Habit For Long Term Blood Sugar Balance

Guidelines for adjusting your medication based on your blood sugar levels
A list of easy-to-digest foods and fluids to keep on hand
Instructions for checking ketones
Contact information for your doctor, diabetes educator, and pharmacy
A list of signs and symptoms that warrant medical attention

Having a clear plan in place will give you the confidence to handle unexpected situations and prevent serious complications.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Sick Days

Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for when you're sick:

Skipping Meals: Even if you don't feel like eating, try to consume small, frequent meals to avoid fluctuations in blood sugar.
Drinking Sugary Drinks: Avoid sodas, juices, and other sugary drinks, as they can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar.
Ignoring Symptoms: Don't ignore warning signs like persistent high or low blood sugar, difficulty breathing, or severe abdominal pain. Seek medical attention promptly.
Relying Solely on Over-the-Counter Medications: Some over-the-counter medications, such as decongestants, can raise blood sugar. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about safe options.

Tracking Key Health Indicators

When you are feeling sick and also needing to manage your blood sugar, tracking several indicators will help you manage your situation better.

Indicator	Frequency of Measurement	Target Range/Action Level	Notes
Blood Glucose Levels	Every 2-4 hours	70-180 mg/dL (individual targets may vary) * Below 70 mg/dL: Treat with fast-acting carbs. * Above 180 mg/dL: Consider insulin adjustment (if applicable) or contact healthcare provider.	Use a reliable glucose meter; record readings.
Ketones	When blood glucose is >240 mg/dL or if feeling ill	* Negative/Trace: Continue monitoring. * Moderate/High: Contact healthcare provider immediately.	Use urine ketone strips or a blood ketone meter as advised by your doctor.
Body Temperature	Every 4-6 hours	* Normal: Around 98.6°F (37°C) * Above 100.4°F (38°C): Indicates fever; consider fever-reducing medications as appropriate.	Use a reliable thermometer.
Hydration Level	Continuously; monitor urine color/frequency	* Adequate: Pale yellow urine, frequent urination * Dehydrated: Dark urine, infrequent urination	Drink fluids consistently throughout the day.
Weight	Daily, if significant changes are suspected	* Monitor for: Unexplained weight loss (possible sign of dehydration or uncontrolled diabetes)	Use the same scale each day.

Long-Term Prevention and Management

While this article focuses on managing blood sugar during illness, remember that proactive management is essential for long-term health. Follow these tips to minimize the impact of sickness on your blood sugar:

Get Vaccinated: Get recommended vaccines, such as the flu shot and pneumonia vaccine, to reduce your risk of getting sick.
Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and manage stress to support your immune system.
Regular Check-ups: Schedule regular appointments with your doctor and diabetes educator to monitor your blood sugar control and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively manage your blood sugar when you're sick and stay on the path to good health. Remember to always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.