fluids throughout the day. Four ounces of water or diet soda every hour should do the trick.
When you’re reading labels, be sure you take into account the sugar content of medications you’re taking. Some cold and flu medicines contain sugar.
If your blood sugar gets too high, you may need to rethink your meal plan. Ask your doctor, dietitian, or diabetes educator to explain what you should do in this situation.
More serious symptoms
With plenty of food, fluids, and rest, you can expect to feel better soon. But every once in a while, people with diabetes need a little help getting through an illness.
The American Diabetes Association urges patients to call their doctor or another member of their diabetes team if they have any of the following problems:
- llness or fever that lasts for a couple of days without getting better
- Vomiting or diarrhea that lasts longer than 6 hours
- Moderate to large amounts of ketones in the urine (which you would check if you had an unusually high blood sugar reading)
- If you take insulin shots: blood sugar levels higher than 240 despite extra insulin as directed by your doctor
- If you take diabetes medications: blood sugar levels that stay above 240 for 24 hours
- Symptoms of dehydration or another serious condition, such as a fruity smell on your breath, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or dry and cracked lips or tongue.
Finally, be prepared.
If you don’t have a friend (or Mom) to bring over chicken soup or crackers, it may be worthwhile to stock up on sick-day supplies in advance. That way, when you’re unexpectedly ill, you’ll have plenty of what you need, when you need it most.