From the Guidelines
Diabetes sick day management involves monitoring blood glucose levels every 2-4 hours, continuing diabetes medications, staying hydrated, and consuming easy-to-digest foods, as recommended by the most recent study 1. When you're sick, it's essential to take extra care of your diabetes management to prevent serious complications.
Key Strategies:
- Monitor your blood glucose levels more frequently, every 2-4 hours, as illness often causes blood sugar levels to rise 1.
- Continue taking your diabetes medications as prescribed, including insulin, even if you're not eating normally 1.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids (at least 8 ounces every hour while awake), preferably water or sugar-free beverages if blood sugar is high, or regular fluids with carbohydrates if blood sugar is low 1.
- Try to consume about 15 grams of carbohydrates every hour if you can't eat regular meals 1.
- Keep a supply of easy-to-consume foods like regular gelatin, soup, crackers, and regular soft drinks 1.
- Check for ketones in your urine if your blood glucose is above 240 mg/dL, as high ketone levels can indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious condition 1.
When to Seek Medical Attention:
- Contact your healthcare provider if you have persistent vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, difficulty breathing, blood glucose consistently above 240 mg/dL, moderate to high ketones in your urine, or if you feel too sick to eat normally for more than 24 hours 1. These measures are crucial because illness stresses your body, triggering the release of hormones that can raise blood glucose and potentially lead to serious complications if not managed properly 1.
Importance of Early Intervention:
Successful sick-day management depends on involvement by the patient and/or a family member, and early intervention can prevent many hospitalizations due to dehydration and other complications 1. By following these strategies and seeking medical attention when necessary, you can effectively manage your diabetes during sick days and prevent serious complications 1.
From the Research
Definition of Diabetes Sick Day Management
Diabetes sick day management refers to the strategies and guidelines used to manage diabetes when an individual is sick or experiencing an acute illness. This is crucial to prevent severe hyperglycemic states or hypoglycemia that can result in emergency room visits or hospitalizations 2.
Importance of Sick Day Management
Sick day management is vital for individuals with diabetes as it helps to prevent complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) 3, 4, 5. These complications can be life-threatening and require prompt medical attention.
Key Components of Sick Day Management
The key components of sick day management include:
- Monitoring blood glucose levels closely
- Adjusting insulin doses as needed
- Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
- Eating small, frequent meals to maintain blood glucose levels
- Seeking medical attention if symptoms worsen or if there are signs of DKA or HHS 2
Prevention of Complications
Preventing complications such as DKA and HHS is crucial in diabetes management. This can be achieved through:
- Early diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses
- Proper management of blood glucose levels
- Avoiding insulin omission or improper use of insulin
- Seeking medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen 4, 5
Guidelines for Sick Day Management
Guidelines for sick day management include: