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The link between COVID and diabetes

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mfine care

The coronavirus disease or the COVID-19, has led us to get extra cautious of our actions both inside and outside of the house. Given the state of the global pandemic which has brought the world to a halt, we must understand the importance of keeping ourselves safe. Most people recover from the disease if we take the appropriate precautions, but some patients who suffer from heart disease, diabetes, asthma need to take extra care and precautions.

How does COVID affect diabetic patients?

Those who are diagnosed with Diabetes 1, Diabetes 2 or gestational diabetes are at risk. When you have diabetes, not feeling well can give you high blood sugar, or high glucose level in the blood.

Here’s what happens when you fall ill when you have diabetes:

  • Combating the illness: The body attempts to fight the illness by releasing sugar to give the patient energy, but the body cannot produce enough insulin, so the blood sugar rises.
  • The body’s reaction: The body will be working overtime to fight the illness making it doubly hard to manage diabetes and there might be inflammation of the respiratory tract.
  • The result: This means seriously high glucose levels in the bloodstream and issues such as shortness of breath, at the same time.

A1c level

If the diabetes is controlled well, and the blood sugar levels are stable in a diabetic person, it is recommended that the patient gets an a1c test done to check their a1c levels, which checks the blood sugar level. Very high glucose in the bloodstream points to diabetes. A1c levels below 5.7% is considered to be normal, but a diabetic person will have a slightly higher percentage of 6.5%. largely, it is a goal of many diabetic patients to keep their a1c levels in check.

Here are some tips to lower your a1c or your high glucose level, during the rise of the pandemic.

  •  Getting a little bit of exercise at home, and not leaving the house.
  •  Eating a healthy and balanced diet
  • Coordinating with your doctor to check your blood sugar levels
  • Coordinating with your doctor about the treatment plan that s/he has given to you, from home.

 

What precautions can diabetics take for COVID?

Pharmacies are working to make sure supplies of medicines and other supplies reach the patients well if you do run out of supplies, there is no need to worry.

  •  Do not leave the house, and contact the pharmacy that you usually go to, and figure out if they can deliver the medicines.
  •  Consult online diabetologists for help.
  • Try to plan by ordering the next prescription at least two weeks before it is due, but do not stockpile and ask for extra medicine until it is due.
  • Avoid touching your nose, hands, and mouth, because you never know what surfaces people have touched with their hands.
  • Be extremely compulsive about hand washing. Use an alcohol-based sanitizer or soap.
  • Keep your distance from people and avoid physical contact, to avoid getting in contact with the droplets that spread the virus.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, fever and shortness of breathing, do get in touch with a general physician online, to know more about how to take care of yourself in this time of uncertainty.

The important factors to note is to not panic, stay prepared, stay safe and always keep in touch with the people you love.

 

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