Diabetes and illness

For diabetics on Insulin

When you are ill, your blood sugar tends to go up. This can happen even if you cannot eat or are being sick. because your body makes more sugar when you are ill. You must therefore never stop your diabetic treatment.

Conditions which may upset your diabetes, include:

the common cold
flu
diarrhoea and vomiting
urine or chest infections
leg or foot ulcers
other infections eg. tooth abscesses, boils etc

WARNING SIGNS MAY INCLUDE...

thirst
passing, large quantities of urine (especially at night)
more sugar than usual in the blood/urine

These may be the first signs that your. diabetes is being affected and is getting out of control, therefore NEVER IGNORE THESE WARNING SIGNS.

Golden RULES

NEVER STOP YOUR INSULIN even if you are not eating. You may need more insulin.
TEST your blood sugar at least 4 times a day before meals and at bedtime.
DRINK plenty of water or sugar-free fluids.
TRY to eat your normal diet. If you cannot, replace your food with fluids or soft foods eg milky drinks soups etc.
TEST your urine for ketones using Ketostix (available from vour GP)

WHEN TO CALL F0R HELP

If your blood sugars stay above 17 mmol/L for more than 24 hrs
If you are vomiting and can't keep fluids down
If you are worried or don't know what to do
If you have moderate to large amounts o ketones in your urine.

How to increase your insulin

If your blood sugar is over 11 mmol, you should increase your CLEAR insulin (or cloudy if this is the only insulin you take) your normal injection times.

Blood Sugar	Action
If under 11 mmol	give your normal dose
If 11-17 mmol	give your normal dose PLUS 4 EXTRA UNITS
If 17-28 mmol	give your normal dose PLUS 6 EXTRA UNITS
If over 28 mmol	give your normal dose PLUS 6 EXTRA UNITS and `Phone your doctor IMMEDIATELY

If you take more than 50 units of insulin a day double the above extra dosages.