Treating The Common Cold And Type 2 Diabetes
It is that time of year again and as a Pharmacist/Certified Diabetes Educator one of the most common questions over the fall, the holiday’s and winter months is “What do you have to treat my cold?” or simply “Can you make me feel better?” Well there is no cure and we cannot wave our “therapeutic” wand and make symptoms disappear but there are a variety of products to help with the symptoms of cough and cold. If the patient is relatively healthy it may be a bit of a hit or miss scenario but usually the product will ease the symptoms until the cold runs its course over 7 to 10 days. The picture becomes less clear when the patient is taking other medications, has medical conditions such as kidney disease, blood pressure, or they have diabetes. Assisting our patient choose an appropriate product that will not worsen their existing medical conditions, and lessen the symptoms that make them feel miserable is key. Diabetes is a condition that requires some adjusting to choose the right product. It is not always a “Sugar free”, “Natural”, or alternative product that is best, as active ingredients may have issues. These include raising blood sugars, raising blood pressure or stressing the kidneys (common issues with diabetes). Usually after a brief discussion to educate the patient, a product can be chosen to help both their symptoms and minimally impact their diabetes and blood sugars. The discussion that follows is a practical approach on how to decide what a person with diabetes can use so that they understand why we avoid certain classes of products due to a their existing medical conditions. Blood Sugars Can Rise when Ill It is important to realize that when a person with diabetes is “fighting” a cold it produces stresses on the body as a whole and Continue reading >>
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Winter Woes: T1d And The Flu
When the days grow shorter and the snow starts to fall, there’s no mistaking winter’s arrival. Most people look forward to this season filled with holidays, sledding, and hot chocolate, but there’s one aspect of winter that no one enjoys—the flu. Getting sick with a cold or the flu can sideline anyone, but when you have type 1 diabetes (T1D) it’s even harder to manage. Here are some common challenges and helpful solutions for battling cold and flu season this winter. Challenge: Keeping blood-glucose in your target range The biggest challenge when you’re under the weather is maintaining healthy blood-glucose levels. You may think that since you’re feeling crummy and have no appetite that you’ll have to watch for low blood-glucose levels. In fact, the opposite is true: when you’re sick, the body produces stress hormones that actually raise blood-glucose levels. Solution: Eat regularly and check your blood glucose often You may have no desire to dig into a big meal, but it’s important to at least nibble every few hours. Try to take in your normal number of calories by eating foods like crackers, soups, regular gelatin, and applesauce. And if solid foods are too hard to eat, try drinking liquids that contain carbohydrates like juice, sherbet, pudding, fruit-flavored yogurt, and broth. Aim for 50 grams of carbohydrates every three to four hours. You’ll also need to monitor your blood-glucose levels more frequently than usual to stay in your target range. Experts suggest testing every two hours until you are feeling better. It’s important that you continue to take your insulin when you are ill. In fact, often you will have to increase the amount of insulin to counteract the infection in your body. Work with your healthcare team to develop a plan that c Continue reading >>
How Does Cold Weather Affect Diabetes?
The fall and winter are enjoyable seasons thanks to all the holidays. But they come with cold weather, which can have a negative impact on those living with diabetes. By Susan B. Sloane, BS, RPh, CDE It’s that time of the year again. The trees are changing colors, days are getting shorter, and it’s getting colder by the day. While the fall and winter seasons do have their upsides, they are definitely a challenging time for everybody. As the days shorten, we experience less of the shining sun, which can be a real mental challenge. The lack of sunlight can be accompanied by increased levels of stress and tiredness. But autumn and winter also present those living with diabetes with real physical challenges. Excessive cold stresses and strains the body. This stress often causes the body to go into a flight-or-fight mode, releasing hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol. These survival hormones cause the liver to release more glucose for energy, which can result in higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. If you’re going out for a walk or to spend some time outside, you need to remember not to stay out long in the extreme cold, especially if you have any cardiac issues or neuropathy, to avoid injury. Similarly, the cold weather can make blood thicker and more prone to clotting which can pose dangers because of increased blood pressure. As always, it’s of utmost importance to continually check your blood glucose to ensure you are within a healthy range. In fact, higher blood sugar levels make you feel warmer in cold temperatures since the sugar content in the blood makes it harder to cool down or freeze. Cold weather can also affect your medications and diabetes supplies. Don’t forget to protect your insulin and testing equipment from extreme cold, and keep them indo Continue reading >>
Can Infection Raise Blood Sugar Levels In Nondiabetics?
Even if you do not have diabetes, you can experience drops and spikes in blood sugar levels for many reasons. If your blood sugar level gets too high or too low, you might develop many symptoms and/or health problems. Stress, poor diet, illness and infections can all cause your blood sugar level to change, and if you notice the warning signs, it is important to talk to your physician about the best treatment approach. Video of the Day After a meal, your body breaks food down into glucose either for immediate use, or else it's stored for later use. The hormone insulin, as well as other chemicals, regulate how much glucose is in your system. If the level of glucose in your bloodstream gets too high, many complications can result. A general goal for everyone is to keep your blood sugar levels no higher than 100 mg/dL, says MedlinePlus. A blood sugar level higher than this can indicate not just diabetes, but also some forms of cancer, Cushing syndrome, an imbalance of various hormones, thyroid disorders or it might be the body's reaction to stress, trauma or an infection. Infections and Blood Glucose Levels When your body is under mental or physical stress, such as when fighting off an infection, hormones such as cortisol are released to help your body cope. The hormones that are released to fight off the infection might have the side effect of raising your blood sugar levels, so your body has the energy it needs to get better. This effect can happen to both diabetics and nondiabetics. If you have an infection and are concerned about your blood sugar levels, it is important to know the warning signs of nondiabetic hyperglycemia, which are the same symptoms that occur in diabetics: hunger, sweating, shakiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, thirst, sleepiness, confusion, diffic Continue reading >>
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How To Manage Your Blood Sugar In Cold Weather
More tips for managing diabetes while traveling around the world from Cazzy Magennis, of Dream Big Travel Far! Last time I wrote about managing your type 1 diabetes in the heat…but what about when we visit all those lovely cold destinations, or even managing winter at home? Here is how to manage your blood sugar in cold weather! Diabetes affects us all differently and some people find that their insulin doesn’t work as well in cold temperatures, meaning they find themselves with higher blood sugars. Scientifically this has something to do with the cold temperature limiting blood supply to your veins and thus insulin into your body. The simplest solution would be to keep yourself warm. When your body is exposed to extremely cold temperatures it can go into shock and stress mode. When your body is under stress your blood sugars can rise, therefore making you feel more ill. Take precautions when out in the cold by wearing extra layers of clothing, gloves and thermal wear. Don’t be silly and go out with your hair wet or think just because there is a bright sun shining that you’ll be okay. If it’s cold you need to prepare. Generally the higher altitude you go, the colder it gets. There are lots of different elements to contend with when hiking with diabetes because you need to adjust to the new altitude, the exercise and the cold. Make sure you keep your insulin at the correct temperature because just like insulin can die when it’s too warm, it can also die when it’s too cold. Insulin begins to freeze at around 26°F (-3 °C). When it freezes, it forms clumps and crystals. Under no circumstances can you use this insulin. I’ve actually had a few near misses when I’ve put my insulin in hostel fridges. The fridges were turned up so high that my products starte Continue reading >>
15 Ways High Blood Sugar Affects Your Body
High blood sugar symptoms Glucose, or sugar, is the fuel that powers cells throughout the body. Blood levels of this energy source ebb and flow naturally, depending what you eat (and how much), as well as when you eat it. But when something goes wrong—and cells aren't absorbing the glucose—the resulting high blood sugar damages nerves, blood vessels, and organs, setting the stage for dangerous complications. Normal blood-sugar readings typically fall between 60 mg/dl and 140 mg/dl. A blood test called a hemoglobin A1c measures average blood sugar levels over the previous three months. A normal reading is below 5.7% for people without diabetes. An excess of glucose in the bloodstream, or hyperglycemia, is a sign of diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes don’t make insulin, the hormone needed to ferry sugar from the bloodstream into cells. Type 2 diabetes means your body doesn’t use insulin properly and you can end up with too much or too little insulin. Either way, without proper treatment, toxic amounts of sugar can build up in the bloodstream, wreaking havoc head to toe. That’s why it’s so important to get your blood sugar levels in check. “If you keep glucose levels near normal, you reduce the risk of diabetes complications,” says Robert Ratner, MD, chief scientific and medical officer of the American Diabetes Association. Here’s a rundown of the major complications and symptoms of high blood sugar. No symptoms at all Often, high blood sugar causes no (obvious) symptoms at all, at least at first. About 29 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, but one in four has no idea. Another 86 million have higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. That's why it’s a good idea to get your blood sugar test Continue reading >>
Little Things That Can Have A Big Impact On Your Blood Glucose Reading
When you have diabetes, it's vital to make sure you're getting the most accurate reading when checking your blood glucose levels to ensure tight diabetes control. Emmy Suhl, M.S., R.D., C.D.E., at Joslin Diabetes Center, reviews different things that can impact your blood glucose reading and how to avoid them. Things that Can Affect your Blood Glucose Reading A dirty meter. Outdated test strips. If test strips are not compatible with the meter you're using, results may be inaccurate or no result will be obtained. If the wrong strip is used, it may not even fit into the slot or it may fit, but the meter won’t turn on, Suhl says. Substances left on your hands. For example, if there is a sugary substance on the finger used for lancing, even if it’s a small amount that can’t be seen, a high blood glucose reading can result. Temperature changes (heat/humidity/cold air). Not a big enough blood sample on the test strip. Wet fingers. Fluid mixes with blood and can cause an inaccurate reading. How to Avoid an Inaccurate Blood Glucose Reading Before using the meter for the first time and then again every few weeks, check your meter using the control solution, Suhl says. Control solution is only good for three months once opened. Label the control solution bottle with the date you open it. Check the date and shake control solution before using. The value the control solution gives should be in the target range printed on the strips container. Make sure strips are not expired. Check the date on the strip container. Make sure code on strip container matches the code on the meter. Wash hands in warm water and dry them off after. Massage hands before checking. Select site on one side of the center of a fingertip. Rotate sites for each check. Apply gentle pressure to lanced finge Continue reading >>
Cold Medicines That Are Safe For Diabetes
Searching for relief for your runny nose, sore throat, or cough? Many over-the-counter cough, cold, and flu remedies list diabetes as an underlying condition that may indicate you should leave the medication on the shelf. The warnings are clear: "Ask a doctor before use if you have: heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes." Unfortunately, your doctor is not along for the trip to the pharmacy. Because illness causes your body to release stress hormones that naturally raise blood glucose, you'll want to be sure that over-the-counter medications won't increase blood glucose levels, too. Simple Is Best for Cold Medicines Keep it simple by choosing an over-the-counter medication based on the types of ingredients proven to relieve your particular symptoms. Often a medication with just one ingredient is all you need to treat your symptoms rather than agents with multiple ingredients. "To choose the correct medication, take time to speak to a pharmacist," says Jerry Meece, R.Ph., CDE, of Gainesville, Texas. "The proper remedies may not only make you feel better, but also cut the length of the illness and possibly save you a trip to the doctor." Oral cold and flu pills are often a better choice than syrups with the same ingredients because the pills may contain no carbohydrate. If you decide to use a syrup, look for one that is sugar-free. If you can't find one, the small amount of sugar in a syrup will likely affect your blood sugar less than the illness itself, Meece says. Safe OTC Cold Medicines Various over-the-counter medications are designed to treat specific symptoms. Many pharmacists recommend these products for people with diabetes. Symptom: Cough Best option: Anti-tussive dextromethorphan (Delsym, Diabetic Tussin NT [includes acetaminophen, diphenhydramine]) Sympt Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Being Ill - Diabetes And Illness
Tweet Having an illness or infection can make it particularly hard to control blood sugar levels. A little knowledge of how illnesses affect diabetes can go a long way towards helping you through. It’s hard to go a year without catching a cold, virus, flu or stomach bug so it pays to be prepared as to how to manage during periods of sickness. How does illness affect diabetes? During an illness or infection the body will release extra glucose into your blood stream in a bid to help combat the illness. In people without diabetes, this is an effective strategy as their pancreas will release extra insulin to cope with the extra blood glucose. In people with diabetes, though, the release of glucose presents an unwanted extra difficulty in managing the rise in blood glucose levels - in addition to feeling less than 100%. Illness and very high blood sugar levels The NHS recommends that people with diabetes with a sugar level over 28 mmols/L should seek emergency advice from their healthcare team or, during out-of-hours times, contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Coping with diabetes and illness To keep a track of how much your sugar levels are rising, it’s recommended to test your blood more often than usual. Test for ketones If you have type 1 diabetes, it is advisable to follow up any high blood sugar readings with a test for ketones. Read: Testing for ketones Keep hydrated Keep yourself well hydrated. High blood glucose levels can lead to dehydration so make sure you are regularly drinking fluids to stay hydrated. Keep eating It may be tempting to not eat whilst unwell but this could lead to more ketones as the body may need to break down fat to make fuel. If eating is difficult, or if you are vomiting and cannot keep food down, it is advisable to have drinks with carbohydr Continue reading >>
Weathering Diabetes: The Cold Can Impact Blood Sugar Levels And What To Do About It
Diabetes is caused by difficulty producing or using insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating glucose. Diabetes sufferers are often very alert to their overall health, since self-management of the condition is so important. But did you know the weather can have a significant effect on blood glucose? It's true – cold weather can impact insulin needs. That's especially true of long, cold Illinois winters! When the temperature outside changes, review the facts about diabetes and body temperature so you can protect your health. Diabetes and Body Temperature For most of the year, insulin requirements tend to be more or less stable. Cold weather, however, can raise insulin needs. When warm weather comes on suddenly, by contrast, insulin demands might drop below the norm for a short time. Diabetes sufferers should be especially alert in peak winter and summer months. Extreme temperatures cause changes in the body that may lead to a drop or spike in blood sugar. During these times, testing blood glucose levels regularly is essential. Other steps you can take include: Keep Your Feet Warm, Dry and Safe Diabetes sufferers are prone to problems with their feet. Poor blood circulation can cause a number of secondary problems, and injuries to the feet may take a long time to heal. Always wear dry, sturdy shoes that will protect your feet from snow and ice. Maintain Regular Physical Activity Physical activity is a great way to support healthy insulin levels. Moderate exercise for even as little as 15 minutes can increase insulin sensitivity, sharpen your thoughts and improve your mood. Remember, activity can affect your blood glucose levels for up to 48 hours. Keep Your Hands Warm Sometimes, it's difficult to get an accurate blood sugar reading in the cold. Before taking a rea Continue reading >>
Colds And Illness
When you are poorly with colds and illness or vomiting, you may notice a rise in blood sugar levels as your body fights to get better. The body releases extra glucose and having gestational diabetes means that you cannot create or use enough insulin to help normalise your blood sugar levels. Dehydration With higher blood sugar levels your body will cause more frequent urination to help flush out the excess glucose, this in turn can lead to dehydration. Make sure you increase fluid intake if you are poorly. How to make yourself feel better Drink plenty Try to eat little and often to maintain blood sugar levels Frequently test blood sugar levels so that you can see what's happening Take paracetamol to bring down temperatures and give pain relief Try sugar free throat lozenges for sore throats such as Halls sugar free throat sweets Try applying Vicks Vaporub on your neck for sore throats, or on the soles of your feet with colds Try drinking hot water, lemon and ginger for colds Have a warm, steamy shower or bath to clear airways For help with advice when vomiting, take a look at our hyperemesis page here. Consult a medical professional if you are concerned or symptoms persist. If you cannot keep food down then you should contact your hospital Diabetes and infections Bacteria feed from increased glucose levels and the reduced function of neutrophils (white blood cells that attack infection) in the body mean that diabetics are more susceptible to infection. Gestational diabetes also increases the susceptibility to various types of infections. The most common infections are urinary tract, yeast infections such as thrush and skin infections. If you suspect you may be suffering with any type of infection then please seek medical advice. In many cases, medication may be required Continue reading >>
Diabetes Winter Hacks: 7 Tips To Staying On Track Cold Weather Season
1. Keep your diabetes devices and insulin out of the cold Just like extreme heat, extreme cold can affect your insulin (insulin solutions freeze near 32 degrees Fahrenheit), and we recommend that you avoid exposing your insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor to weather below 34 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re outside in cold weather, wear your pump close to your body and cover it with an accessory or warm clothing. Just like in heat, freezing temperatures can break down insulin and cause it lose its effectiveness. Make sure your blood glucose (BG) meter is protected in a case, and bundled up too! 2. Protect your immune system Winter is flu season, and when you’re sick, you’re probably stressed, both of which can raise BG levels. Talk to your doctor about whether or not you should be getting an annual flu shot to help protect yourself against the flu. And wash your hands often with soap and water, or keep hand sanitizer nearby, so you don’t spread germs. Just remember, hand sanitizer may have sugar alcohols so could affect your BG readings and dry out your hands, so make sure you wash them before you pull out your meter. If you do get sick, follow sick day rules provided by your healthcare team. 3. Test, don’t guess Dramatic temperature changes may affect your BG levels. As the seasons change, pay close attention to your CGM trend, because you’ll likely be experiencing different activities or schedules than other times during the year. If you notice a change in your BG levels, talk with your healthcare team about adjusting your basal rate or turning on a basal pattern accordingly to help keep your numbers where you want them. 4. Keep your hands warm Cold weather can leave you with cold hands, making testing your BG more difficult. When your hands are warme Continue reading >>
Cold, Flu And Other Infections
It is a good idea to develop an action plan in anticipation of sick days, with your healthcare team. An acute disease almost always raises blood glucose (sugar) levels because of: the secretion of stress hormones (also known as counterregulatory hormones: primarily cortisol, adrenaline and glucagon), which have an insulin-antagonistic effect; less regular exercise, which makes the injected insulin less effective, even if the amount of food consumed is reduced. Sick days on insulin The daily insulin needs of people with diabetes often rise when they get sick. Consequently, even though diabetics may eat less when ill, they still need to take their regular insulin doses as prescribed, or adjusted, by their doctors. Advice and adjustments Take your blood glucose (sugar) readings more often: every 2-4 hours, or more often if necessary. Take your insulin or diabetes medication as usual, unless advised otherwise by your doctor. Take your temperature: if needed, take acetaminophen to lower your temperature and prevent dehydration through sweating caused by fever. If you have type 1 diabetes: if your blood glucose (sugar) is above 14.0 mmol/L, measure the ketones in your blood or urine every 2 to 4 hours, or more often if necessary. Diet: If you lose your appetite, drink liquid or semi-liquid sources of carbohydrates (fruit sauces, yogurt, etc.) at the rate of 15 g of carbohydrates per hour if you have taken the proper insulin doses. Hydration: If your blood glucose (sugar) level is high: Drink lots of unsweetened liquids (sparkling water, diet soft drinks, bouillon, etc.) to avoid becoming dehydrated, at the rate of 250 ml every hour. If your blood glucose (sugar) levels tend to fall: Have small amounts at a time of sweetened foods (fruit juice, regular Jell-OTM, milk, etc.). S Continue reading >>
Managing Diabetes With A Cold Or Flu
The cold and flu season is on its way. And while sick days bring everyone down, people with type 2 diabetes have some special considerations when they're under the weather. In addition to choosing the right cold medications and checking in with your doctor about possible dosage changes, good diabetes care means being prepared for the days when you would rather not drag yourself out of bed for a glucose check or a snack. Pick the Right Cold Medicine “A lot of [cold and flu] medications, particularly cough syrup, are high in glucose,” says internist Danny Sam, MD, the program director of the residency program at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara, Calif. His practice specializes in adult diabetes. If you have diabetes, your best bet is a medicine that is clearly labeled sugar-free. Almost every major pharmacy has a store brand of sugar-free cold or cough medicine, says Dr. Sam. If you have questions, ask your pharmacist for help. Check Blood Sugar Often “Diabetes is not as well controlled when you are sick,” observes Sam. This is because when your body fights infection, it releases a chemical cascade that can alter your body’s glucose and insulin response. As a result, you may need to check your blood sugar more often than you usually do. People with type 2 diabetes may need to check their blood sugar four times a day, and should check their urine for ketones anytime their blood sugar level is higher than 300 mg/dL. Other medications you may need to take when you are sick can affect your blood sugar levels: Aspirin may lower blood sugar levels Certain antibiotics may decrease blood sugar levels in those taking some oral diabetes medications Decongestants may raise blood sugar levels Adjust Your Plan “You have to monitor your blood sugar more frequently and you m Continue reading >>
How Cold Weather Can Affect Your Blood Sugar
As the seasons change, most of us are exposed to extreme temperatures of one variety or another. Whether you're sweating or shivering, you should always take precautions to avoid temperature-related blood sugar spikes. When temperatures start to get out of control, so can your blood sugar. Both hot and cold weather extremes can affect your testing equipment and your medications, and have a negative impact on your body’s ability to produce and use insulin. As summer ends, and we move toward the freezing winter temps that many of us have to deal with, it’s important to take a few easy steps to make sure your diabetes care plan is winter-proofed. Freezing temps and inclement weather can make it more challenging to stay on top of diabetes. Here’s what to watch for during the colder months: Keep your supplies out of the cold. Just like extreme heat, extreme cold can affect your insulin and cause your glucose monitor to stop working. Don’t leave supplies in a car when temperatures outside are below freezing. Do your best to avoid getting sick. Winter is cold and flu season. When you’re sick, you’re stressed, and being under stress can raise your blood sugar. When you don’t feel good, you’re likely to not eat properly. Wash your hands with soap and water often so that you don’t spread germs. Also, be sure to get vaccinated against the flu. Avoid packing on the pounds. Managing type 2 diabetes during the holidays can be tricky. Many seasonal treats are loaded with carbohydrates that cause your blood sugar to rise. Plan your meals and pace your special treats so that you don’t greet next spring a few pounds heavier. Even a small weight gain makes it more difficult to control your diabetes and blood sugar levels. Keep an eye on your feet. Diabetes can cause a Continue reading >>
