When you are ill and have diabetes, you can take steps to avoid your diabetes getting out of control or needing hospital treatment. You can look after yourself during illness by following the steps below:
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Be prepared – have the right equipment and information to hand. |
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Test your urine or blood more often – about four times a day or more if necessary. |
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Test your urine or blood for ketones if you have Type 1 diabetes. |
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Continue to take your insulin or tablets and adjust the dose in response to your test results. |
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Drink plenty of sugar-free liquids. |
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If necessary replace your normal meals with drinks containing carbohydrates. |
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Contact your GP or diabetes care team if you are in any way unsure about what to do, and especially if you are being violently sick. |
Remember, although the aim is to stay out of hospital, this is not always possible and, for certain illnesses, such as severe gastroenteritis (severe stomach bug), hospital is the best place to be cared for and to have treatment for dehydration and high blood glucose levels.
Reviewed December 2009
Next review June 2011