As far as we know, COVID-19 can cause more severe symptoms and complications in older people, those with long term conditions such as chronic lung disease, cancer and people with diabetes. Unfortunately, if people like me have COVID-9, we may be more vulnerable to the severe effects of the virus.
That’s why it’s important to plan what to do before we get ill. For instance, we have to have contact information about our health care provider. Also, we have to make sure we have an adequate stock of medications and supplies for monitoring our blood glucose at home. If we are infected with the virus may see their glycaemic control deteriorate during the illness. In those situations, we should contact our doctor immediately for advice on how to monitor our blood sugar level. Also, our doctors has to provide us with adequate refills for medications (especially insulin). Lastly, he or she has to tell us what adjustments we may need to do in our medication or diet.
If we have COVID-19, we should:
- Monitor our blood glucose
- Monitor our temperature
- If we are on insulin, also monitor our ketone bodies
- Follow the healthcare team recommendations
International Diabetes Federation has published a guideline on which you can find more information about how to manage your diabetes during an illness. You can download it right here.
How we can avoid the virus?
To avoid the virus, we should take the following simple, sensible measures:
- Frequently wash hands with soap and water
- Use an alcohol-based solution, especially before eating and after being in public.
- Don’t share food, tools, glasses and towels.
- Avoid close contact with those who are ill.
- If you get ill with respiratory symptoms, stay at home and notify others and your doctor.
- When sneezing or coughing, cover the nose and mouth with a tissue or with the crook of the elbow. Throw the tissue in the bin.
If you want to get correct information about the situation with COVID-19 in Macedonia, you can do that on the following link: http://gdi-sk.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html?fbclid=IwAR1_K921oU1bGmHfQX9XZGTWxByxDNvNkCmOxHceCFsL9r3GuTgErMS8Tiw#/2096bd4b051b42948ac3f5747e80c3a5
Home-based exercise for people with diabetes
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments in many countries have restricted the movement of their citizens, confining them to the home environment. Regular physical activity is of great benefit to the general population and even more for people living with diabetes.