Sick Day:
An Action Plan
For Diabetic Health

A sick day action plan is simply a discussion with your health care team about your diabetic health and blood sugars in the result of an illness or injury. During any major stressful events, you will notice the control of your blood sugars does become very difficult. Your body automatically releases hormones to counteract any type of illness or disease. Frequently this variance will counteract the effectiveness of your medications. Insulin will lose its capability of doing its job in your system, thus your blood glucose levels will tend to be going out of control.

So along with dietary changes, possible medication revisions and an exercise plan. take some time to address with your doctor what your plan of action should be in case of a sick day or extended illness.

Sick Day Control Measures

• monitor your blood sugar levels more frequently (approximately every 3-4 hours). If you have been instructed to check your ketone levels also, monitor this more frequently also.

• ask your doctor if there is any situations you should automatically call him because of a possible complication or for a change in your medication schedule

• foods and fluids: how much should you eat, how often and what should you do if you can not keep it down. It is often recommended even if you do not feel like eating, drink at least 8 to 12 ounces of some liquid every hour to prevent dehydration

• keep some easy to eat and easy digestible foods in your house at all times. Chicken noodle soup, bouillon, sugarfree gelatin, frozen (all fruit) popsicles etc. all make easier eating during any day of being sick

• severe diarrhea and vomiting can easily lead to hypoglycemia- sip on homemade sports drinks, recipe #1

• be sure your over-the-counter medications are safe formulas for your diabetes. Many cough syrup formulas contain pseudoepinephrine which will raise blood sugar levels

• type 1 diabetics must continue to use their normal doses of insulin but check every 1-2 hours if there is any major differences in your blood sugars and notify the doctor of any unusually high - or low - results

Sick Day Food List

• Liquids only diet: apple juice, homemade sports drinks, soda, broth (preferably home-made or from bouillon), and vegetable juices

• Soft solids diet: 1 cup broth soup/1 cup cream soup/1/2 cup fruit juice/1 cup 1% milk or yogurt/1/2 cup ice milk or ice cream/ 1/3 cup vanilla pudding/1/2 cup regular gelatin/ 6 saltines/ 1/4 cup sherbet/ 1/2 cup regular soda/ 1 small frozen fruit bar (less than 70 calories per serving)/ 1 cup homemade sports drink, recipe #2/ 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

So to prevent the constant fluctuations in your blood sugars during a sick day, check your blood sugars with your meter often, reduce your stress levels as much as possible, and nibble at some easily digestible foods every few hours or as directed by your doctor. All of these will help to ease your sick day jitters and blues.

Return to "Symptoms Of Diabetes" from "Sick Day".
Return to "Treatment For Diabetes" from "Sick Day".