preferred over ibuprofen. “NSAIDs, a drug class that ibuprofen falls into, is renally excreted [via the kidney] while acetaminophen is hepatically excreted [via the liver.] Patients with diabetes are at higher risk of renal disease, therefore, limiting the use of medications that are excreted renally is important,” explains Reece.
When searching the OTC aisle for the right cold and flu medication Reece says don’t forget to ask the pharmacist for help. Just because a pharmacist works in a place that also sells magazines, snacks and nail polish doesn’t mean he or she is not a professional. A pharmacist is trained and licensed to understand, prepare, and dispense medication.
Flu symptoms include fever, muscle or body aches, fatigue, sore throat chest discomfort, cough, and headache. If you do get sick with flu symptoms, call your doctor early in the illness. Reece says a flu test can be done during the first few days to determine if you have the flu. This is important because antiviral drugs work best when started within 48 hours after symptoms start. Antiviral drugs can make your flu illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious health problems that can result from flu illness.
You should see a doctor if you have a cold or flu and aren’t getting any better. Signs of trouble can include a cough that disrupts sleep; a fever that won’t respond to treatment; increased shortness of breath; face pain caused by a sinus infection; high fever, chest pain, or a difference in the mucus you’re producing, after feeling better for a short time.
Remember, when you have diabetes even a minor cold can make your diabetes harder to control and lead to serious complications often resulting in hospitalization and sometimes even death. Click here to learn more about the flu.
Constance Brown-Riggs, is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, national speaker and author of the Diabetes Guide to Enjoying Foods of the World, a convenient guide to help people with diabetes enjoy all the flavors of the world while still following a healthy meal plan. Follow Constance on social media @eatingsoulfully