How to Prepare for the Flu, Cough or Cold if you Have Diabetes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 200,000 Americans are hospitalized every year due to flu complications. But people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are three-fold more likely to be in serious situations. Prevention is the best option. Anyone with diabetes should seriously consider getting a flu shot this fall.

For those who do become sick, it is important to be prepared. This sick-day program is for diabetics who have a cough, cold or flu.

* Get plenty of sleep, and even when awake, do resting activities (reading, watching TV, online shopping) as long as you don’t find it stressful.

* “Feed a cold, starve a fever”It is not advice that you should be following. Healthy foods such as soups, Jell-O, and fruit juice with water or yogurt are good choices. Your body will become dehydrated. blood sugarYou can lose weight by drinking one cup of sugar-free and caffeine-free liquid each hour.

* Medicine cabinets must go beyond a glucose meter and thermometer. Also, you should have the appropriate medication for flu symptoms and ketone testing supplies.

“When suffering from a cough, cold or flu, it’s important for people with diabetes to treat their symptoms with medicine that doesn’t have a negative effect on their diabetes,”Debra Spector, registered nutritionist and certified dietitian.

“Most people don’t realize that cough syrups can contain up to 50 percent sugar, and cold and flu medicines may contain alcohol, both of which can raise one’s glucose, possibly to dangerous levels. Diabetic Tussin has been trusted by the medical community for years because it is sugar and alcohol-free, so it’s 100 percent safe for diabetics. It’s even recommended for those on a sodium or gluten-free diet,”Spector.

* Take your insulin and diabetes medicine on schedule, even if you experience nausea or haven’t eaten. At least four times per day, you should check your blood sugar.

* If your symptoms worsen, contact your doctor. Get more information about diabetes treatment, including nutritional advice and sick-day advice. www.diabeticproducts.com.