How to keep sugar levels normal during a cold or flu? We understand the important details from the first symptoms to a complete cure.
From Incubation to Outbreak – Blood Sugar Monitoring
As the symptoms of seasonal illness worsen, it becomes more difficult to control sugars. Not infrequently, at the peak of the disease, the level of glycemia is kept at around 11-13 mmol / l, even in those who usually cope well with compensation.
Even slow carbohydrates with the right bolus can elevate blood sugar within 30-60 minutes after injection. Often, due to the high amount of hormones, insulin resistance is observed.
The body’s response to disease
With any disease, not just a cold, it is more difficult to control blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes becomes completely unmanageable due to the body’s response to the pathogen.
While the body is fighting the disease, it secretes a huge amount of stress hormones, for example, adrenaline, cortisol. They cause the liver to release more glucose into the bloodstream (a process called glycogenolysis ), resulting in higher blood glucose levels.
High blood glucose leads to greater insulin resistance and, in turn, higher blood sugar levels. This is why glucose levels are usually much higher during illness, and the normal amount of insulin administered is not enough in most cases.
Sports are usually the most affordable way to temporarily improve insulin sensitivity. But during an illness, you don’t even want to leave the bed, not to mention doing any exercises.
So what do we have:
1. release of contrainsular hormones in response to inflammation,
2.high sugar levels, which exacerbate insulin resistance,
3. reduced physical activity.
It is worth adding to everything an increased risk of ketoacidosis . Moreover, the level of ketones can increase not only because of high sugar. During illness, the desire to eat disappears, and with this, “hungry ketones” can appear.
How to deal with risk factors?
Doses of insulin
There is nothing left but to temporarily increase the amount of insulin administered. Usually during illnesses it is recommended to use the 20% rule. When the usual dose of insulin fails, we increase it by ⅕.
Frequent blood sugar checks
Check your blood glucose much more frequently. For those who use continuous monitoring systems, it is worth periodically calibrating the device with a glucometer . Especially if you drink teas for symptoms. Devices can give an error due to drugs.
Be sure to take several measurements at night.
Frequent ketone readings
Always keep visual test strips on hand for such emergencies. Keep in mind that ketone levels can build up gradually. Don’t just focus on the symptoms.
Food and liquid intake
Even if you’re not hungry, you need to eat a little to avoid hungry ketones. Fractional meals are also a good idea so that sugars don’t skyrocket after one big meal. The American Diabetes Association recommends a regimen of 1 XE (10-12 grams of carbs)/hour.
Dehydration is common with illness. It should be borne in mind that when there is not enough fluid in the body, this also leads to the fact that the blood glucose level rises. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to moderate the effect a bit.
Return to regular insulin doses
When the peak of the disease passes, the body needs another 10-14 days to recover. Around this time, the usual doses of insulin are returned. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor your reactions and gradually reduce the amount of the drug administered.