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Mercy Dialysis Center - General Information
Sick Day Rules for Diabetics
Use this information only under the advice of a physician.
Short illnesses with flu, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal symptoms can pose serious problems to people with diabetes. Some rules to follow when you are sick include:
Take your insulin or pills even if sick:
Remember illness raises blood glucose levels so you do need your insulin or
pills. Some patients are instructed to take a little less insulin when ill.
Check with your physician so you know his recommendations.
Test blood glucose and urine ketones every 4 hours:
If you do not take your insulin or pills, ketones may build up in the blood.
A high level of ketones can be very serious leading to “diabetic ketoacidosis.” Ketones
in the urine are an indication that the body is breaking down fat. This happens
if the glucose cannot be used properly.
Take 15 grams of carbohydate every hour:
If you cannot eat your regular meal plan, take one of the following foods every hour.
Each of these foods equals 15 grams of carbohydrate:
½ cup fruit juice or regular pop (7-Up is a good
choice)
1 popsicle or ½ cup regular jello
½ cup applesauce, custard, pudding, or ice cream
1 cup soup (chicken noodle is a good choice)
6 saltines
Call your health care team when:
- You have vomiting or diarrhea over 8 hours.
- Your blood sugars are consistently over 240 mg/dl or under 60mg/dl. You have moderate to large amounts of ketones in your urine.
- You are unable to eat after one day.
- You have difficulty breathing, slurred speech, or confusion.
Developed by Linda Hopper,RD,CSR,LD Mercy Dialysis Center, Mason City, IA
