Coronavirus pandemic:
Easy tips for diabetics to stay safe
Considering the lower
level of immunity, diabetics must ensure they take adequate precautions.
While the novel coronavirus is said
to affect children and elderly more, it could equally be fatal for people
with diabetes as the chances of infection flare up, as per
Dr Jothydev Kesavadev MD, diabetologist, Thiruvananthapuram. In a video
message, Dr Kesavadev explained the causative relationship between possible
coronavirus infection and diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2. “I don’t
say Covid-19 is
a fatal disease. It is a fast spreading disease but the case fatality rate is
relatively lower. However, in the presence of diabetes, the incidence of deaths
are slightly more as the infection flares up,” he mentioned.
Dr Kesavadev explained that people with
diseases like diabetes have low immunity, which is why their
susceptibility to infections like coronavirus increases. Recently, actor Tom
Hanks, who has been living with type 2 diabetes, tested positive for
coronavirus. Cases like these make it essential to look at measures that
diabetics can take to prevent the infection. Besides washing hands frequently
and disinfecting surfaces, Dr Kesavadev shared tips for diabetics while stressing that they should be in regular
touch with their healthcare providers/dietician.
Tips for diabetics to stay safe
As per Dr Kesavadev, it is extremely important
to make sure you are controlling diabetes appropriately. “Frequently monitor
the sugar levels at home with a glucose meter and ensure sugar is not above
180mg/dL. Lower the better. For hypoglycemics, under 70mg/dL,” he mentioned.
Never be idle at home; try to stay active. As
per Dr Kesavadev, in diabetes, activity is equally important. “Ensure you are
exercising for 30 minutes per day. In subjects with type 2 diabetes, in
children and adolescents, the recommended duration is over an hour per day,” he
said. Stressing on the importance of not letting social
distancing make one lazy, he recommended one wake up at the
same time every day, take a bath and be active. He also suggested that it is
not a good practice to sit and work continuously for an hour in one place.
Instead, take a break in between for five minutes and move around.
Drink plenty of water. Every half hour, sip a
small quantity. It is important for hydration. Make sure the amount of liquids
matches the advice of your doctor and dietician.
Get at least eight to 10 hours of sleep daily.
If you have a fever, sore throat or joint
pain, avoid ibuprofen. It might worsen the existing illness.
Many hospitals are arranging telemedicine
consultations. If you cannot avail fresh lab results, doctors can suggest
modifications based on earlier results.
When the disease is over, if you have not
vaccinated against Pneumococcal Pneumonia and influenza, you must do so as
there is an international consensus which says it is a must for patients with
diabetes.
Don’t be anxious or angry.
Relax. Be positive. Read. Listen to music. Dance. The counter-regulatory
hormones have a tendency to increase glucose levels and have the tendency to
reduce the immunity level.9








