The Affects of Common Cold and Flu on Diabetics
No one likes the cold and flu season, but diabetics have more reason to dread it than most. A person that is relatively healthy can expect to be out of commission for about three to four days. A person with diabetes could end up in the hospital, especially if they do not keep close tabs on their blood sugar levels.
Those with diabetes are encouraged to receive flu shots to defend themselves from coming down with the flu. The common cold or the flu increases stress on the body causes the blood glucose levels to rise. The majority of medications being sold to relieve symptoms connected with cold and flu have elevated levels of sugar. A diabetic needs to get into the habit of reading labels on commonly sold medications and looking for ones that are free of sugars or low in sugar. These medicines will not shorten the amount of time that is spent sick with a cold or the flu. A diabetic needs to consider whether feeling better outweighs the risk of elevating blood sugar levels into the danger zone.
The next problem that cold and flu presents for the diabetic is they are probably not eating properly. It is widely known that a diabetic must eat a healthy diet, however with illness such as cold or flu it is quite likely that is not an option due to vomiting and nausea. Physicians recommend eating 15 grams of carbohydrates per hour, but due to the circumstances know that this may not be feasible. They will also usually advise the diabetic to continue taking their medications as they normally would.
Lack of fluids is one more threat that a diabetic can face. Taking in copious amounts of liquids is vital. Water, tea, and broth are excellent if the blood sugars continue inside the normal and high range. But if the blood glucose levels plunge, sipping a half cup of apple juice or other like sugared juice is counseled.
Monitoring blood sugar levels very closely during illness is imperative. Blood sugar levels can rise or fall dramatically and quickly. If a diabetic is already feeling "icky" they may not notice the signs that their sugar levels are out of control. Ketones should also be monitored. Ketones are the end product of excessive fatty-acid breakdown and are found in the urine only when ketone levels in the blood reach a certain point. Should a urine test prove positive for ketones, alert your physician immediately. A high level of ketones could lead to a coma.
While no one can prevent getting the cold or flu 100%, they can take steps to reduce their risks. Getting a flu shot and encouraging those around them, like friends, loved ones and co-workers, to get one as well is a good start. Flu shots cannot guarantee that one will not get the flu, however for about six months it makes it more difficult to get it.
A pneumonia shot is another way to safe guard oneself against getting seriously ill. Pneumonia shots are available to anyone over the age of two who stands at a higher risk of dying from pneumonia (an infection in the lungs), such as diabetic patients. Pneumonia shots are also 60% effective in preventing other life-threatening diseases like meningitis (infection in the brain) and bacterernia (infection in the blood).
In conclusion, the most effective line of attack to evade illness is plainly by scrubbing your hands often and methodically. The effortless function of hand scrubbing sloughs germs and bacteria away, keeping them from finding a way into our body by way of the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Talking with a physician before becoming ill and learning what to expect and when to contact them is important.
Article Source: http://www.search-raven.com
About the Author
Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.
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by: JuliaHanf
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