How COVID Treatments Pose A Higher Risk To Diabetics

COVID-19 outbreak has affected all the countries around the world. The severity of the infection varies from person to person. On one hand, people are losing their lives to this deadly disease while on the other hand, a few are able to manage the disease at home with limited medical care. However, the complications for those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes can be more severe. To get to the depth of it, keep reading. 

What Is The Connection Between COVID-19 And Diabetes?

It has been found that people with diabetes face severe COVID-19 complications when infected by the virus. One of the main reasons is that diabetes is known to weaken the immune system of the body. With decreased immunity, it becomes difficult for the body to fight the infection and recover quickly. Getting diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a condition in which high levels of acids called ketones develop inside your body and may even result in death. However, it is essential to note that the severity of COVID-19 usually rises when you have uncontrolled diabetes. Therefore, in the time of the pandemic, it is crucial to manage your diabetes well and prevent COVID-19 at all costs.      

What Is The Treatment When You Have Both COVID-19 And Diabetes?

If you have been managing your diabetes effectively, there is a chance that you may not get severe COVID-19 symptoms and manage the infection at home yourself. However, in this case, you must keep checking your blood sugar levels continuously. If your blood sugar levels fluctuate or your symptoms get worse, you must contact your doctor immediately.

In case you are admitted to the hospital for the treatment of COVID-19, your insulin therapy will depend vastly on the severity of your COVID-19 infection. You might be prescribed to continue with your insulin therapy, asked to discontinue it or directed to initiate insulin if you were not using it earlier. It completely depends on your condition. The medications and treatment for COVID-19 will also depend on how they affect blood sugar levels, blood pressure levels and many other factors. 

Diabetes puts you at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms and complications of COVID-19. Therefore, you must keep checking your blood sugar levels and try to prevent the infection as much as possible.  

How Can You Manage Diabetes With COVID-19?

Keep all your medications, blood sugar meter kit, insulin injections, etc at your home and be prepared with a kit in case you get the infection.

Keep checking your blood sugar levels frequently and take all possible steps to control them efficiently.

If you suffer from any flu-like symptoms that may indicate infection, you must contact your doctor immediately.

Keep fluids and water in access all the time. COVID-19 infection can increase your need for fluids. 

You must keep sufficient carbs or glucose at home in case your blood sugar levels dip.

Eat a healthy diet and avoid anything that may raise your blood sugar levels.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercise regularly and take proper sleep to keep your blood sugar levels under control.   

How Can You Prevent COVID-19 With Diabetes?

Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently to avoid infection. 

You must also wash your hands before giving yourself an insulin shot.

Disinfect all the objects that come under contact frequently.

Wear a mask whenever you step outside.

Do not share your food, glasses, towels, etc.

Try to avoid meeting with people who show flu-like symptoms or respiratory illness.

Avoid going outside, unless absolutely essential.

If you suffer from any flu-like symptoms, stay at home. Even if it is not COVID-19, you must try to prevent the infection from worsening. It may affect your diabetes.

Takeaway:

Diabetes makes you more prone to getting severe complications of COVID-19 infection. Therefore, if you have diabetes, you must take all precautions to prevent COVID-19. You must manage your diabetes well as it may reduce the chances of becoming severely ill with the virus.   

Reference Links:

1. https://www.diabetes.org/coronavirus-covid-19/how-coronavirus-impacts-people-with-diabetes
2. https://www.idf.org/aboutdiabetes/what-is-diabetes/covid-19-and-diabetes/1-covid-19-and-diabetes.html
3. https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/43/8/1695
4. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.602735/full
5. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/coronavirus/diabetes-and-covid-19