Never stop taking insulin. The
body needs insulin to transform the glucose from the food
eaten,
into energy for the body’s
cells to function properly. However, if you do not eat
the body releases glucose from its stores. If insulin
is stopped
the person may become ill. The
insulin dose may need adjusting whilst the person is sick.
Ask your Doctor or Nurse for advice on how to do this.
Measure the blood glucose level more frequently, at least 4
times a day.
Test the urine regularly for ketones.
This is especially important if the blood glucose is high
or vomiting. Ketoacidosis is a serious condition
that can occur if diabetes is out of control and must be treated
quickly.
Contact your Doctor or Nurse for advice on how to test for ketones and what to
do
if present.
Drink plenty of fluids. It is easy to become dehydrated when ill.
Rest. Do not exercise if there
are ketones in the urine as exercise can make ketoacidosis
worse.
If the person, who is ill, doesn’t
feel like eating, food can be replaced.
With alternatives such as Lucozade, milk, fruit juice or ice
cream. Ask you Doctor or Nurse for advice on this.
Contact your Diabetes Clinic, Doctor or Nurse if vomiting, have high levels of
ketones in urine, have persistently high blood glucose or the situation is not
improving and you are worrying.
