We all get colds and flu from time to time but for diabetics, colds and flu can be a bit more serious. People with diabetes are more prone to infections so it is important to make sure cold and flu doesn’t turn nasty. Also make sure that you wear diabetic swellsox that would be providing you the warmth and also avoid you catch colds and flu easily. Below are some simple tips and advice which should be a big help should you get a cold or flu.
Diabetic patients have to take care of their blood sugar level and check it regularly. Blood sugar levels can be controlled by using natural ways as well as through medicines. But it is always better to first try controlling it by natural means and then switching to medicines is still not under control.
- Drink plenty of fluids to help avoid dehydration
If you’re not eating properly and you’re dehydrated your blood glucose levels could become too low. Dehydration itself can cause you problems as well.
- Rest
Plenty of rest will allow your body to repair and fight off the cold and flu bugs. Also make sure that you wear diabetic swellsox to provide your feet the comfort and also avoiding the invasion of germs. Your body will be weaker when you have a cold or flu so help it by giving your body less to do and focus on fighting the infection.
- Keep a good intake of Vitamin C and Zinc
Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits such as oranges and juices or you can take supplements. If you do use supplements you do not need the high strength varieties e.g. 1000mg just use the standard strengths.
- High temperature
If you have a high temperature above 38 degrees then let your doctor know. Paracetamol is good at lower temperatures. If you are on medicines make sure you check with your pharmacist that you can take paracetamol with your medicines. (Nearly all diabetic medicines are compatible with paracetamol but it is still good to check). Also wear diabetic socks to provide warmth to your feet. If you have a high temperature this could be a sign of infection.
- Avoid flu remedies with decongestants. Theoretically, they could
Make the signs of persistent high blood glucose harder to identify and if you are on blood pressure-lowering medicines they could raise blood pressure.
- Monitor your glucose levels regularly.
If your levels are greatly out of the target range then sees your doctor or if you are on insulin, and can make changes to your insulin regime, then you may need to adjust accordingly but make sure you have your doctor’s permission.
- Monitor your ketones
If your blood glucose levels become high this may result in the production of ketones, this can happen more often with type 1 diabetics. Check your urine ketones with a simple urine ketone strips such as ketosis and let your doctor know I you have any positive results.
- Take your diabetes medicines and/or insulin
If you can take your medicines they will help you recover faster by making sure your body is functioning properly. In some cases, your cold or flu could get worse if you don’t take your diabetes medicines or insulin.
- Prevention is better than cure
A flu jab vaccine can prevent certain types of flu. If you can get access to the flu jab it would be well worth preventing flu. Ask your doctor if you can have access to the flu jab.
- Sugar-free medicines
You can use lozenges for sore throats and cough suppressants for dry coughs. Ask your pharmacist for the sugar-free varieties. If you have a chesty cough (a cough with mucus) and the mucus is dark, this is a sign of infection and you should go see your doctor. Diabetics are much more prone to infections.
- Exercise
Being a diabetic patient you can gain weight very easily. It is very important for you to control your weight in order to have a controlled blood glucose/sugar level as this will prevent your diabetes to take a major turn. You should exercise daily or if not possible daily then at least 5 days a week.
- Smaller meals at regular intervals:
You should take small meals at regular interval that is eating something healthy after every 2 to 3 hours but in smaller quantity.
Avoid taking food stuff that has a larger quantity of sugar in them:
Avoid eating sweets, desserts, juices that have more sugar (you can take diet juices) and so forth.
- Medicines:
Keep medicines as your last option that is when you are unable to control your sugar level by natural means. Take medicines as prescribed by your doctor.
