How to Stay Safe and Healthy during COVID-19 if You have Diabetes

We are going through an unprecedented time and it is to take care of yourself and your loved ones. COVID-19 can affect people with chronic ailments. My father has diabetes. We all know that complications related to infections in someone with diabetes can go out of control. Due to chronic diabetes and other health issues, it was even more important to make sure my father’s health was monitored and he was kept safe at home in the pandemic situation. It is not that a person with diabetes has greater chances of getting the Covid infection. However, its symptoms can be severe and damaging for the person. If a person has diabetes and other related health problems, they are subjected to more complications if they contract COVID-19. It is always better to take simple steps to maintain and manage your health for diabetes and the Covid-19 outbreak.

Managing diabetes at home during COVID-19

• Maintain a healthy diet with inclusion of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Small portions at regular intervals help avoid sugar level fluctuations.
• Stay active by doing light yoga and pranayama to keep your body active.
• Make sure you are taking your insulin on time as prescribed.

How to stay safe

A few guidelines when followed diligently help in a large way to protect the person with diabetes from getting infected.

1. Washing hands
   1. Washing hands regularly and thoroughly with soap or alcohol based sanitizer.
2. Social Distancing
   1. Maintain safe distance of 6 feet between yourself and anyone who is sneezing/coughing
3. Avoid touching mouth, nose and eyes
   1. Hands can pick up contamination from various spots they touch. When you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands, you are actually transferring the contamination.
4. Seek medical help early
   1. Keeping in mind that people with diabetes can have increased complications due to infection, one should make an effort to seek immediate medical help in case he/she contracts cold, cough, high fever or has difficulty in breathing.

For someone with diabetes, the body’s ability to fight infection is already less and he or she has a very high chance of increased complications that can worsen if the person falls ill due to COVID-19. Managing your diabetes well can help reduce the risk of these complications.

Warning Signs of Covid-19 for People with Diabetes to watch out

Since complications can arise for a person with diabetes and related health problems, one should look out for the following signs and be aware:

• Developing new continuous cough
• Cold or sore throat
• High body temperature

If you observe any of the following signs, please take these as warning signs and seek medical help immediately.

• Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• Bluish lips or face

Make sure you have the following information in place for faster and better support from the medical professionals:

• Most recent available glucose reading
• Track of your fluid intake
• Clearly mention your symptoms

Stay home and safe as much as you can. Maintain distance from the community to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus. A person with diabetes should follow guidance from his physicians and local authorities to make sure he is safe all the time.

Diet, exercise, regular monitoring and adherence to medication are important factors in diabetes management. Empower yourself to live better with diabetes and take the pledge today to be #MoreThanMyDiabetes.

Read more about Diabetes Care

Disclaimer:

The views expressed in the blog content are independent and unbiased views of solely the blogger. This is a part of the public awareness initiative supported by Sanofi India. Sanofi India bears no responsibility for the content of the blog. One should consult their healthcare provider for any health-related information.

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