4 minute read
People with diabetes need flu shots
Flu shots are one step you can take to stay healthy
It is important to follow your doctor’s advice to prevent the flu, especially if you have diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30 percent of adults who are hospitalized with the flu have diabetes. Being sick can also prevent you from eating properly, which may cause changes in your blood sugar. The CDC recommends the following to protect yourself during the flu season.
Get a flu shot and encourage others around you to get theirs. People are infectious before flu symptoms appear and can infect others. Find a flu shot near you by typing in your zip code.
Take the flu medicine prescribed by your doctor.
Stay home from work or school if you are sick and follow these rules:
Continue to take your diabetes medicine, even if you can’t eat. Talk to your doctor about any concerns, or before stopping your medicine.
Test your blood sugar every four hours and write down the results.
Drink lots of zero calorie liquid (water is best).
Try to keep eating. If you can’t, try eating soft foods and liquids that contain the same amounts of carbohydrates you usually eat when you are healthy.
Weigh yourself each day. Weight loss without dieting is a sign of high blood sugar.
Take your temperature. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Wash your hands. If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer.
Resist touching your eyes, nose and mouth. These areas are ways for germs to enter your body. Clean surfaces at home and work when someone is ill.
Keep a week’s worth of medicine on-hand in case you are not able to leave your home.
Even if you get the flu shot, you can still get sick. Call your doctor if any of these things happen to you:
Trouble breathing Blood sugar less than 60 milligrams/dL or is over 250 milligrams/dL on two checks
Ketone level of urine higher than normal
Fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit for 24 hours
Drowsiness or trouble thinking clearly
Trouble keeping liquids down for more than 4 hours
Trouble keeping down food for more than 24 hours
Severe diarrhea or vomiting for more than 6 hours
Loss of five pounds or more If you take steps to prevent the flu, you have a better chance of not getting sick. Don’t forget to get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, eat lots of fruits and vegetables and exercise. Michigan State University Extension says that these healthy behaviors can give your body the extra boost it needs to make it through the flu season without getting sick.
The next time symptoms of a cold appear could be well worth it to reach for elderberry syrup, lozenges or supplements. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, elderberry, or elder, has been used for centuries to treat various ailments. Elderberry can be applied to the skin to relieve wounds, and it also is effective when taken orally to treat respiratory illnesses like cold and flu. Some evidence suggests that elderberry may help reduce swelling in the mucus membranes and sinuses to help relieve nasal congestion. WebMD says elderberry may help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation to relieve pain throughout the body. Some people also rely on elderberry for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and as a laxative. Even though elderberry is an all-natural alternative to medicine, its use should be discussed with a doctor to ensure no contraindications. Did you know?
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