Being sick can raise your blood sugar levels. When your body is fighting an infection or experiencing stress from illness, it triggers responses that can impact glucose regulation. This temporary elevation is a common physiological reaction.
How Illness Affects Blood Sugar
Illness triggers a stress response, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones prepare your body to fight off the infection by increasing the amount of glucose available in the bloodstream. Cortisol and adrenaline signal the liver to produce and release more glucose, providing a quick energy source for the immune system.
These stress hormones also contribute to insulin resistance, making it more challenging for your cells to absorb sugar from the blood. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps transport glucose into cells for energy. However, during illness, increased hormone levels can decrease the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin, leading to glucose accumulation in the bloodstream.
Inflammation, a natural part of the body’s defense, further contributes to elevated blood sugar. Inflammatory chemicals are released by the immune system and can also promote insulin resistance. This combined effect of increased glucose production and reduced insulin effectiveness means common illnesses like colds or the flu can cause a noticeable rise in blood sugar levels.
Managing Blood Sugar During Illness
Managing blood sugar when sick involves proactive steps. For individuals who monitor their blood sugar, frequent checks are advised to track fluctuations. Keeping a detailed record of these readings, along with insulin doses, helps guide adjustments and sharing with a healthcare provider.
Staying well-hydrated is important, as dehydration can concentrate glucose in the blood and worsen high blood sugar symptoms. Aim to drink calorie-free fluids like water or sugar-free beverages consistently, even if appetite is low. If solid foods are difficult to consume, easily digestible carbohydrates can help maintain carbohydrate intake and prevent blood sugar from dropping too low.
For individuals with diabetes, continuing prescribed medications and insulin doses is recommended, even if not eating as much as usual, because the liver continues to produce glucose. However, medication adjustments might be necessary to manage higher blood sugar levels during illness. Consulting a healthcare provider for personalized guidance on medication changes and for a comprehensive “sick day plan” is recommended. Getting adequate rest also supports the body’s recovery and can indirectly help with blood sugar management.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Recognizing when to seek medical attention during illness, especially with elevated blood sugar, is important for preventing complications. Contacting a healthcare provider immediately is advisable if blood sugar levels remain persistently high despite attempts to manage them. Signs of dehydration, including dry mouth, extreme thirst, decreased urination, or a rapid heart rate, warrant prompt medical consultation.
Other concerning symptoms that indicate a need for immediate care include difficulty breathing, persistent nausea or vomiting, and severe abdominal pain. Confusion, disorientation, or loss of consciousness are serious indicators. These symptoms can signal serious conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which involves the build-up of acidic ketones in the blood, or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), which involves severe dehydration and extremely high blood sugar levels. If any of these symptoms develop, contacting a healthcare provider or seeking emergency care immediately is necessary.