When illness strikes, many people observe an unexpected rise in their blood sugar levels, even without a pre-existing diabetes diagnosis. This physiological response highlights the body’s intricate system for managing health challenges. Understanding this connection between sickness and glucose regulation is important, as it directly impacts how the body fights infection and recovers.
The Body’s Response to Illness: Why Blood Sugar Rises
When the body encounters an illness, it perceives this as stress, triggering a complex defense mechanism. The adrenal glands release stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which are part of the “fight or flight” response. These hormones instruct the liver to produce and release more glucose into the bloodstream, providing energy to combat the threat. This increased glucose production occurs even if a person is eating less or not eating at all.
These stress hormones also affect how insulin, a hormone that helps glucose enter cells, functions in the body. They can lead to insulin resistance, meaning cells become less responsive to insulin’s signals. This resistance further contributes to higher blood sugar levels because glucose cannot efficiently move from the blood into cells for energy. Inflammation, a natural part of the immune response, also plays a role by making cells more insulin resistant.
Periods of illness often involve reduced physical activity and bed rest, which can also contribute to elevated blood glucose. Inactivity can lessen the body’s sensitivity to insulin. The combined effects of increased glucose production, insulin resistance from stress hormones and inflammation, and reduced physical activity all contribute to the observed rise in blood sugar during sickness.
Potential Risks of Elevated Blood Sugar During Sickness
High blood sugar levels during illness can present several health concerns. One significant risk is dehydration, as elevated glucose levels cause the kidneys to excrete more water, leading to increased urination and fluid loss. Dehydration can further complicate the illness and hinder recovery. High blood sugar can also delay the body’s natural healing processes and may increase susceptibility to additional infections.
For individuals with diabetes, illness-induced high blood sugar poses heightened risks, including the development of serious complications like Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS). DKA primarily affects those with type 1 diabetes and occurs when the body, lacking sufficient insulin, begins to break down fat for energy, producing acidic byproducts called ketones. A buildup of these ketones can make the blood acidic and, if untreated, can lead to a diabetic coma or even death.
HHS is more common in people with type 2 diabetes and involves extremely high blood sugar levels, often exceeding 600 mg/dL, without significant ketone production. This condition leads to severe dehydration and a dangerously concentrated blood, which can result in confusion, seizures, and potentially life-threatening complications if not addressed promptly. Both DKA and HHS underscore the importance of vigilant monitoring and management of blood sugar during sickness for individuals with diabetes.
Key Steps for Managing Blood Sugar When Sick
Managing blood sugar during illness is important for promoting recovery and preventing complications. A primary step involves frequent monitoring of blood glucose levels, ideally every four hours, or as advised by a healthcare provider. This regular checking helps identify trends and allows for timely adjustments. For individuals with type 1 diabetes, checking for ketones is also advised if blood sugar levels are high, typically above 240 mg/dL.
Maintaining adequate hydration is important, even if experiencing nausea or vomiting. Drinking plenty of sugar-free fluids, such as water, broth, or diet soda, helps prevent dehydration, which can worsen high blood sugar. If solid foods are difficult to keep down, sipping on small amounts of sugary liquids like fruit juice or regular soda can provide necessary carbohydrates and prevent blood sugar from dropping too low. Aim for about 50 grams of carbohydrates every 3 to 4 hours.
Regarding medications, continue taking prescribed diabetes medications, including insulin, as usual unless specifically instructed otherwise by a healthcare professional. Illness can sometimes necessitate adjustments to medication doses, and a doctor can provide guidance on these changes. It is also helpful to track symptoms, food and fluid intake, medication doses, and blood sugar readings to share with a healthcare team.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Care
Recognizing when to seek immediate medical attention during illness, especially with high blood sugar, is important. Persistent vomiting or an inability to keep any fluids down for more than a few hours can quickly lead to severe dehydration and requires urgent care.
Other concerning symptoms include extreme fatigue, unusual drowsiness, or confusion, which can signal a more serious condition like DKA or HHS. Rapid or deep breathing, a fruity odor on the breath, or significant abdominal pain also warrant immediate medical attention, particularly for individuals with diabetes, as these can be signs of DKA.
Contact a healthcare provider if blood sugar levels remain persistently high (e.g., above 240 mg/dL) despite following sick day management guidelines. A fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher that lasts for more than 24 hours, or the presence of moderate to large amounts of ketones in urine, also indicates the need for prompt medical consultation. Having a pre-arranged sick day plan with a healthcare team can provide clear guidance on when to call for help.