being ill and having diabetes

Re: being ill and having diabeates

It's quite normal (as a diabetic) for your blood sugar to go up when you're ill. Everyone needs more insulin when they're ill, but a non-diabetic automatically makes more insulin to compensate. Diabetes is often diagnosed at the time of or just after another illness, because the body is not able to make the extra insulin that's needed. People who inject insulin learn to adjust the dose to correct the high readings. If on tablets or no medication you should seek medical advice. A short period of high readings during illness is nothing to worry about, but if you can avoid it that's even better.

Often your blood sugar will go up a day or two before you get any other symptoms, while your body is already trying to fight off the virus.

Hi
I find if i am unwell my blood sugars go through the roof! i notice that my blood sugars are out of control! I find that drinking water helps bring the blood sugars down a little!
I do find that lemsip,flu and cold pills all contain sugar or some sort of coating that can effect blood sugars in one way or another!
I try my hardest to keep warm and try not to take anything other than normal pain killers!
I hope that sort of helps,
My own experence, if i am unwell certain foods react more than others, skipping meals can cause you high blood sugar levels as your body tries to regulate the blood sugars!

carlos said:

why is it they shoot up is it just me or is everyone even non diabetics like this

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Hi Carlos,

Illness or stress can trigger high blood sugars because hormones produced to combat illness or stress also cause your blood sugar to rise. As Sue said, people who don't have diabetes can make enough extra insulin to keep their blood sugar in a normal range during times of stress and illness. People with diabetes may need to take extra diabetes medication to keep their blood sugar near normal during times of illness or stress. If you haven't been given special instructions on how to manage your diabetes medications during illness, you should contact your medical centre for advice.

I've found that monitoring my BS levels helps me spot when I'm getting ill (I'm asthmatic and get a lot of chest infections). My pharmacist is really good at helping me out and advising me on which OTC meds (such as throat pastilles) are low in sugar/sugar free.

Glad things are improving.
I really wish doctors would tell people about this so they know what to expect. It causes so much unnecessary worry.