Influenza virus can release cortisol which can reduce the effectiveness of insulin.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The flu can be troublesome, especially when someone has diabetes. There is a great risk that arises, as it is a chronic condition that threatens the stable functioning of the immune system and makes it easier for pathogens to enter.
When exposed to a virus, the body produces additional glucose to provide energy to the body. However, the influenza virus can release cortisol which can reduce insulin effectiveness and interfere with glucose readings.
These factors can also trigger the risk of unstable blood glucose readings and increase the risk of complications as well. That being said, in addition to diabetics having a higher risk of the flu, they were also 30 percent more likely to be hospitalized than non-diabetics with the flu.
What should diabetics do when they have the flu? The condition can be alarming so you need proper treatment and management.
Remember, because diabetes is a chronic condition, you must be very diligent about self-care practices and take additional steps to keep flu symptoms and blood sugar levels under control.
Infected flu virus can cause stress on the body, make it difficult to eat, cause fatigue, and also cause dehydration all of which can disrupt glucose levels. Therefore, one of the very important things to do when you have a cold (if you have diabetes) is to keep monitoring your blood sugar levels every four hours.
You also need to maintain good eating habits, even when you don’t feel hungry. Drinking plenty of fluids (preferably ones that don’t raise glucose levels) is also important, as high sugar can cause frequent urination and lead to dehydration. Skipping or doubling the dose of the drug is not recommended.
You should also remember that diabetes makes it harder for the body to fight off viruses and infections. Symptoms can take longer to go away. The illness may last a long time and leave your body very weak and depleted.
Remember, even though the flu is as severe as an illness like Covid-19, it’s very important to keep track of the symptoms and seek medical attention immediately if there are any potentially worrisome signs. When you have the flu, watch out for signs of worsening health such as frequent urination, dry mouth, loss of appetite, confusion, dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, weight loss (5 kilograms or more can be alarming), loss of consciousness, fever a high that lasts more than a week, and a blood sugar level higher than 240 (or constantly rising).
Most drugs must be taken with a doctor’s prescription. For people with very unstable levels of diabetes or other prerequisites, diabetes medication or insulin may need to be adjusted. Keep your doctor informed to find out what works best and identify other risk factors that may need attention.
Maintain respiratory hygiene you must do. Don’t hang around in crowds and take good care of your health are some ways to minimize the risk of infection.
Apart from the fact, diabetics (either type 1 or 2) are also advised to get a flu shot which is updated every six months to get enough immune protection. Timely injections can greatly reduce the risk of hospitalization and serious illness.
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