Sick Days
If your diabetes is in pretty good control, you probably won't get sick any more often than people without diabetes. But everyone gets sick once in a while. In people with diabetes, a cold, flu, and other illness can make blood glucose levels go a little berserk.
Most illnesses raise your blood glucose. So, you need to check your blood glucose and ketones more than usual when you're sick. If your blood glucose level is too high, you may need to inject more insulin, even if you're not eating much. If possible though, try to eat on the same schedule as you usually do.
Being sick can also cause your body to release ketones. Ketones can be dangerous. If you just have a cold, you may only need to check them a few times a day. But if you're throwing up or have diarrhea, check your ketones (and your blood glucose!) every few hours.
Whenever you're sick, it's important to drink a lot of fluids. If you're not eating, you should drink fluids with carbohydrates in them, like fruit juice, sports drinks, or ginger ale. If you are eating, drink your usual sugar-free beverages. Drinking a lot will prevent you from becoming dehydrated, which can make you even more sick.
You and your parents should talk to your doctor ahead of time about what medicines are better for people with diabetes. For example, your doctor will probably think you should take sugar-free cough syrup instead of the regular kind. If you're not sure whether you should take a particular medicine, call your doctor first.
Your doctor can write up a sick-day plan for you and your parents. It usually includes the doctor's and hospital's phone numbers, instructions on when to take extra insulin, and guidelines on when to call the doctor for help. Get out this plan whenever you're sick. It's a big help! Click here to learn more about writing a sick day plan.
Ketoacidosis: Sick Days
Being sick increases your risk of getting diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), particularly if you're throwing up. People with diabetes get DKA when they have high blood glucose, not enough insulin, and high ketones. DKA can make you even sicker than the illness you already have! If you think you have DKA, call your doctor immediately.
DKA: What to Do
It's important to do whatever you can to help prevent DKA. The main way to do this is to be sure to take your insulin on your usual schedule. Frequent blood checks can help you decide if you need extra shots.
It's also important to check your ketones often. If you have no ketones, or only trace ketones, then you have nothing to worry about (but still check again in a few hours). If you have moderate or high ketone levels - or any of the symptoms of DKA - your parents should call the doctor immediately. The doctor can advise you on your next step (which could be as simple as taking extra insulin, or could mean a trip to the hospital).
Foods for Sick Days
When you're not feeling too well, you may not feel like eating a lot of the foods you normally love. For example, if your belly is doing somersaults, you're probably not craving a big, spicy plate of nachos. But it's important to eat to keep your body from burning fats for fuel (and making ketones) and to keep your body energized so it can get better fast. Here are a few flu-friendly food ideas for when a bug has you down:
Liquids
- Fruit Juice
- Jell-O
- Milkshakes
- Ice pops
- Soups & Broths: Try bouillon, chicken noodle soup, or plain hot broth
Solids
- Fruit
- Ice Cream or Sherbet
- Hot Cereal
- Toast
- Crackers
