Sick Day Management Guide for Type 2 Diabetes

 
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Type 2 Diabetes: Sick Day Management Guide (On Tablets & Insulin)

How does illness affect your blood glucose levels (BGLs)?

  • Illness usually causes a rise in blood glucose levels due to the effects of stress hormones made by the body.

  • Illness such as chest or urinary tract infections can cause your BGLs to rise.

  • Having a sick day plan can manage your BGLs.

What to do when you’re sick:

  • Monitor your blood glucose levels (BGLs). If higher than 15mmol/L for 8-12 hours start following your sick day plan.

  • Check your BGL every 2-4 hours until you are back in the target recommended to you.

  • Keep drinking and if possible, eating, to prevent dehydration and low BGLs.

    • Aim for 1 cup of fluids every 1-2 hours

    • Try small meals like dry toast, crackers, biscuits or plain rice.

  • If you are vomiting or unable to keep food down, go to your nearest hospital.

Managing your diabetes medications:

If you are taking diabetes tablets or a non-insulin injection, continue to take these even if you are not eating.

Tablets to stop if your are vomiting or unable to eat:

  • Metformin brand names: Diabex, Diabex XR, Diaformin, Diaformin XR Glucobete, Glucophage, Metex XR, Formet

  • SGLT@ inhibitor brand names: Forxiga, Steglatro, Jardiance

  • Combination brand names: Xigduo XR, Jardiamet, Glyxambi, Segluromet, Qtern, Steglujan.

 
Diabetes Education, Sydney EndocrinologyKatherine Tonks