Coping/Complications

 Short-Term

 Long-Term

Illness, such as a cold or flu, can cause serious problems with your diabetes control. Because everyone reacts differently to illness, talk to your doctor or diabetes educator about the best ways to manage your diabetes when you are sick.

Follow Sick Day Guidelines and Call Your Doctor or Diabetes Educator When:

• Blood glucose is over 240 mg/dL and ketones are present.
  
• You cannot eat.
  
• You have persistent vomiting or diarrhea.
  
• Your fever persists longer than 24 hours.

• Take your usual dose(s) of insulin or oral medicine. You may need extra doses of regular insulin to keep blood glucose under control.
  
• Check your blood glucose and urine ketones every 4-6 hours, and record results.
  
• Check your temperature four times a day.
  
• Drink plenty of calorie-free liquids (8-12 oz. per hour).
  
• If you cannot eat your meals, drink regular liquids (with sugar) and replace meals with foods that are easy to digest such as crackers, toast, soup, hot cereal, juices, milk, eggs.
  
• If you are vomiting, sip about 4 oz. of juice or regular (nondiet) soft drink per hour.
  

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