When you are sick with Diabetes

When you are sick, your blood glucose levels can become elevated without even knowing it. It is recommended that you do the following while you are sick:

• Consistently check your blood glucose level every 4 hours and keep track of your results.
  
• Maintain taking your insulin and diabetes pills regardless of whether or not you can keep food down. Consult your doctor to see if you should change your dosage.
  
• Drink at least 8 ounces of anything that is calorie and caffeine free every hour before sleeping, such as water.
  
• Try crackers, soup, or drinking juice if you are until to eat your regular foods.
  
• If you are unable to eat, drink clear liquids. Eat or drink something containing sugar if you are unable to keep other foods down.
  
• Perform a urine test for ketones if your blood glucose is over 240, or you can’t keep food or liquids down.
  
• Continue to take your insulin regardless if you’ve been throwing up.
  
• Consult your doctor about whether or not you should change your dosage based on your blood glucose test results.
  
• If you do not use insulin: Continue to take your diabetes pills regardless if you’ve been throwing up.
  
• Get in touch with your health care provider if any of the following apply to you:
  1) Your blood glucose is over 240 for longer than 24 hours.
  2) You have a high amount of ketones in your urine
  3) You are more tired than normal
  4) Trouble breathing
  5) Inability to think clearly
  6) Throwing up multiple times
  7) Diarrhea for more than 6 hours