Dealing With Sick Days
A cold or the flu can make it harder to keep your blood sugar in check. It is recommended that people with diabetes get a flu shot every year. Also, you and your healthcare provider should make a "sick-day" plan. When you're sick:
- Check your blood sugar four times a day. If it's higher than 300 mg/dL, use a home test to check your urine for ketones.
- Keep taking your diabetes medicines.
- Drink plenty of water or sugar-free drinks to stay hydrated.
- Try to eat as usual. If your stomach can't handle it, try clear soups or gelatin.
- Check any over-the-counter medicines for sugar. Ask your pharmacist for sugar-free options.
Call your doctor if your blood sugar is lower than 70 mg/dL several times a week, or if it stays higher than 240 mg/dL. Also, call if you've been vomiting or had diarrhea for several hours, or if your urine has high ketone levels.
