High Blood Sugar - Sick Day Survival

You are at risk of having a high blood sugar reaction if you:

• Have not taken your diabetes medications
• Have an infection (flu and/or cold)
• Over-eat
• Are under stress (mental and / or physical)
• Are taking other medications that can increase your blood sugars (Prednisone, Decadron, Solu-Medrol, Prograf, etc.)
• Are over-treated for a low blood sugar

Check your blood sugars if you have any of these symptoms:

Call your Diabetes team if you:

• Have a blood sugar reading greater than 300 mg/dl
• Have a temperature of 101 degrees F or higher
• Are unable to take diabetes medication(s)
• Have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours or longer
• Have stomach pains, difficulty breathing, extreme thirst, drowsiness,
• Dryness of mouth

If you are sick:

1. Always take your:
   • Blood sugar and check Ketones if applicable
   • Diabetes medications
   • Your diabetes medications may need to be adjusted by your doctor.
2. Test your blood sugar every 4 hours. 
   • If your blood sugar continues to persist at 300 or higher, keep in contact with your diabetes management team
3. Try to eat as much of your regular meals as possible
   • If this is hard to do, smaller, more frequent meals may be easier.
   • See the list below for foods that may be easier to eat on sick days
4. Drink plenty of non-caloric, low sodium liquids.
   • Have 4 -6 ounces of fluid every hour to prevent dehydration.
5. Rest, DO NOT exercise, and keep warm.
6. Have your Sick Day Survival Kit available.

Sick day survival kit

• Blood testing equipment
• Thermometer
• Ketone testing kit
• Treatment kit for low blood sugars (Glucagon kit, Lifesavers, juice)
• Sugar-free medication for colds, fevers, diarrhea, sore throats & cough
• Phone number of the members of your Diabetes management team

Sick day foods that = 15 grams of carbohydrate

1/2 cup apple juice

1/3 cup grape juice

1 cup broth

1 cup sport drink

1/2 cup congee (rice soup)

1/2 cup regular soft drink (not diet)

1 cup regular ice cream

1/2 cup hot cereal

1 cup sugar free yogurt

1/2 cup mashed potatoes

6 saltine crackers

1 slice toast

1/2 cup regular Jell-O

1 small frozen juice bar