
#Diabetic sick day plan how to
And be sure you know how to reach your doctor at night or on weekends.įind an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Keep your doctor's contact information handy.Your doctor will tell you what signs to watch for and what blood sugar level they recommend.When children are sick, watch them closely for signs that they need medical attention right away. Minor illnesses in people with diabetes (especially children with type 1 diabetes) can lead to very high blood sugar levels and possible emergencies. Many nonprescription medicines can affect your blood sugar level. Be careful with over-the-counter medicines.ĭon't take any nonprescription medicines unless you talk to your doctor first.Some home blood sugar meters can also measure blood ketones. If you take insulin, do a test for ketones, especially when you have high blood sugar. If you don't have a sick-day plan for taking extra insulin, call your doctor for advice. Take insulin if your doctor told you to do so.Check it more often, even through the night, if it goes up fast. Test your blood sugar at least every 3 to 4 hours.You may also eat food that's gentle on your stomach, such as bananas, rice, crackers, gelatin, or applesauce. If you can't eat your usual foods, drink extra liquids, such as soup, sports drinks, or milk.If your blood sugar level is higher than the level your doctor recommends (for example, 240 mg/dL), drink extra liquids that don't contain sugar, such as water or sugar-free cola.Your doctor may suggest more or less carbohydrate. For example, 6 saltine crackers, 1 cup (8 ounces) of milk, and ½ cup (4 ounces) of orange juice each have about 15 grams of carbohydrate. A general guideline is to try to eat or drink 50 grams of carbohydrate every 3 to 4 hours.Ask your doctor about how much and how often you should eat and drink when you're sick. Drink extra fluids to prevent dehydration. Try to eat your normal types and amounts of food.You can give this information to your doctor if you need to call. Note if you have changed the dose based on your sick-day plan. Write down the diabetes medicines you've been taking.If you are vomiting and can't take your medicine, call your doctor.Keep taking your diabetes medicine, even if you vomit and have trouble eating or drinking.Here are some general sick-day guidelines. Keep your plan in a handy place, and let your family know where you keep the plan. Work with your doctor to write a sick-day plan for how to help prevent high blood sugar when you're sick. They also make it hard for insulin or other medicines to lower your blood sugar. When you're sick with the flu or another illness, your body releases hormones to fight infection. If you have diabetes, other illnesses can make your blood sugar go up.
