How to Manage Sick Days When You're Diabetic
Mar 26th, 2012 (updated Oct 8th, 2015)
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The most important factor in managing illness if you have diabetes is to have a plan and keep your supplies well stocked. Also, make sure to check your blood glucose much more frequently than usual.
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- Check your blood glucose frequently -- several times daily.
- Check ketones as recommended by your diabetes team.
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8 oz each waking hour, 4 oz for children.
Preferred fluids: clear, caffeine free such as:
- Chicken beef or vegetable broth
- Decaf tea
- Jello, sugar fee or not depending on BG levels
- Caffeine-free soda
- Ice popsicles, sugar free or not, depending on BG levels
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- Important to eat carbs such as fruit, bread, crackers, rice, cereals.
- Avoid high fat and high protein food.
- Drink low sugar beverages, which are often easier to tolerate, such as Gatorade, diluted juice, jello or pedialyte for children.
- If needed take a shot of glucogon with an insulin syringe (20 unit dose for adults and 10 unit dose for children)
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When to call the doctor
- Large ketones are present, may indicate severe infection.
- BG remains high despite extra insulin (severe infection or dehydration)
- Vomiting multiple meals and or diarrhea for more than 24 hours.
- Persistent high fever, with or without over the counter medications.