DiabetesCentral.org - When You are Sick

When You’re Sick and Have Diabetes

Take care of yourself when you’re sick. Being sick can make your blood glucose go too high. Here are some tips on what to do:

* Check your blood glucose level every 4 hours. Write down the results.

* Keep taking your diabetes medicine. You need it even if you can’t keep food down.

* Drink at least one cup (8 ounces) of water or other calorie-free, caffeine-free liquid every hour while you’re awake.

* If you can’t eat your usual food, try drinking juice or eating crackers, popsicles, or soup.

* If you can’t eat at all, drink clear liquids such as ginger ale. Eat or drink something with sugar in it if you have trouble keeping food down, because you still need calories. If you can’t eat enough, you increase your risk of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).

* In people with type 1 diabetes, when blood glucose is very high, the body produces ketones. Ketones can make you very sick. Test your urine for ketones if

o your blood glucose is over 24
o you can’t keep food or liquids down

* Call your health care provider right away if

o your blood glucose has been over 240 for longer than a day

o you have moderate to large amounts of ketones in your urine

o you feel sleepier than usual

o you have trouble breathing

o you can’t think clearly

o you throw up more than once

o you’ve had diarrhea for more than 6 hours

Home

Diabetics Shop

Diabetes
◦ What are the scope and impact of diabetes
◦ Types of Diabetes
◦ Diabetes - A Leading Cause of Death in America
◦ The Reality
◦ Who gets diabetes
◦ Keep Your Diabetes Under Control
◦ Low Blood Glucose
◦ Eating and Diabetes
◦ Gestational Diabetes
◦ Type 1 Diabetes
◦ Points to Remember
◦ How are diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnosed
◦ What is pre-diabetes
◦ What does having pre-diabetes mean
◦ Should I be tested for diabetes
◦ Preventing Diabetes Complications
◦ Diabetes Is Preventable and Controllable

Diabetes Type 2
◦ What is type 2 diabetes
◦ Type 2 Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes
◦ Type 2 Diabetes
◦ What factors increase my risk for type 2 diabetes
◦ What other factors increase my risk for type 2 diabetes
◦ What are the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes
◦ Can type 2 diabetes be prevented

Diabetes Tips
◦ Outsmart Diabetes Naturally
◦ When You are Sick
◦ Alcoholic Drinks
◦ Fat and Sweets
◦ What are healthy ways to eat meat or meat substitutes
◦ Milk
◦ Fruits
◦ Vegetables
◦ Starches
◦ Your Physical Activity Plan
◦ Be Physically Active Every Day
◦ Make Wise Food Choices Most of the Time
◦ Making Changes to Lower My Risk
◦ How can I reduce my risk of Diabetes
◦ Fight Childhood Obesity

Medicine
◦ Do I need to take diabetes medicine?
◦ How is diabetes managed
◦ Random Plasma Glucose Test
◦ Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
◦ Fasting Plasma Glucose Test
◦ Take Your Prescribed Medications

Diabetes Books and Software

Blog