“MANY PUBLICATIONS HIGHLIGHT DIABETES IS A RISK FACTOR FOR COVID-19 AND COMPLICATIONS. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PEOPLE WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES? I AM IN DANGER?”
- What we must remember is that COVID-19 is a new disease, and because it is a new virus, we do not have detailed epidemiological information.
- what we have seen so far, it seems that people with diabetes do not are at higher risk of infection.
- When we talk about complications or some serious problems, we are talking about people with type 2 diabetes. People in this group are more likely to be hospitalized and suffer complications. It must be said that there has always been a higher risk of complications in type 2 diabetes, even before COVID-19. People in this group tend to be older and have secondary diseases such as heart and kidney disease, which makes them more vulnerable.
“I HAVE TYPE 1 DIABETES. SHOULD I CONSIDER TAKE ANY PROTECTIVE MEASURES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?”
- Everyone should take protective measures at this stage.
- The virus can be spread by airborne droplets within a radius of up to 1 meter. Therefore, everyone should keep a social distance of 1-2 meters.
- I would also recommend wearing a mask when you are among people in a public place. Please also follow regional guidelines.
- The virus can remain on different surfaces and clothes for a long time, so it is very important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water more often. Clean all surfaces with products containing > 60% alcohol – this also helps to kill the virus. Please also follow regional guidelines.
“SHOULD I EXPECT HUGE GLUCOSE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?”
Yes, you can expect changes in glucose levels. During the pandemic, schools, training centers, gyms were closed. There are also bans on walking in parks. We had to adapt to spending more time at home. Our physical activity decreases, stress levels may rise, and eating habits may change, all of these factors affect our glucose levels. What I would recommend:
- There may be some reduction in blood sugar
- Make a schedule and stick to it.
Your schedule should include sufficient meals, time for rest and time for exercise. Frequent snacking (especially carbohydrates) should be avoided. If you need help choosing healthy foods, talk to your doctor.
- Adjust Therapy
I would recommend adjusting your basal rate first. Many clinics are adjusting to the current situation of limited travel and quarantine by providing telehealth services – if possible, contact your PCP this way.
For sensor users and users of pumps such as the 640G MiniMedTM system , I would recommend changing the settings (under the supervision of your healthcare professional, after checking the dosage for your model within 3-4 days). Wait for the changes to become noticeable. Up to this point, use corrective pricks if necessary. These correction boluses must also be taken into account when making changes to the settings.
“WHAT IF I HAVE COVID-19? WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH GLUCOSE RATES?”
We need to remember that in most cases the symptoms are very mild in manifestation . If you test positive for COVID-19, you need to assess how severe your symptoms are in your particular case and act accordingly. And, of course, always be in touch with your doctor.
- If you have mild symptoms:
This may include fever , dry cough, loss of smell and taste, general malaise such as loss of appetite, and muscle pain. At this stage, you do not need to make major changes to your current settings. You must continue to follow your normal recommended insulin therapy. You should also count carbs and calculate boluses using Bolus Wizard TM for food and correction. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water. You will need to closely monitor your blood glucose. Discuss with your healthcare professional immediately if you are taking hypoglycemic drugs OR hypoglycemic agents, marked SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists .
- Ketone measurement
COVID-19 does not generally affect the gastrointestinal tract, but if you experience nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea, measure ketones and follow up with appropriate care. It may not be directly related to COVID-19
- If you have difficulty breathing
Rarely, mild cases can quickly develop into a breathing disorder called ARDS ( Acute respiratory distress syndrome – acute respiratory distress syndrome). The two most common symptoms to take very seriously are fever and shortness of breath (after a dry cough). In this case, immediately seek medical help!
- Keep in touch with your doctor!
Now all medical institutions in your region can operate in an emergency mode. This may result in branch closures and reductions in normal working hours. This means that your regular endocrinology consultation service may not be available. Therefore, try to keep in touch with your doctor remotely.