What is diabetes sick-day plan?

Diabetes: How can you care for your child who is sick?

  • Work with your doctor to write up a sick-day plan for what to do on days when your child is sick. Your child's blood sugar can go up or down, depending on the illness and whether your child can keep food down. Call your doctor when your child is sick, to see if you need to adjust your child's pills or insulin.
  • Write down the diabetes medicines your child has been taking. Note if you have changed the dose based on your child's sick-day plan. Have this list with you when you call your doctor.
  • Have your child eat their normal types and amounts of food. Have your child drink extra fluids to prevent dehydration. This may include water and broth. Ask your doctor about how much and how often your child should eat and drink when sick.
    • If your child's blood sugar level is higher than the blood sugar level your doctor recommends (for example, above 240 milligrams per deciliter [mg/dL]), have your child drink extra liquids that don't have sugar. This includes water and sugar-free soft drinks.
    • If your child can't eat their usual foods, give extra liquids. This may include soup, sports drinks, or milk. Your child may also eat food that is gentle on the stomach. Try bananas, rice, crackers, gelatin, or applesauce.
  • Check your child's blood sugar every 3 to 4 hours. If it goes up fast, check it more often. And check it even through the night. Give your child insulin if your doctor told you to do so. If you and your doctor didn't have a sick-day plan for your child, call your doctor for advice.
  • If your child is taking insulin, do a test for ketones. Do this especially if your child's blood sugar is high.
  • Do not give your child any over-the-counter medicines unless you talk with your doctor first. These include pain relievers, decongestants, and herbal products and other natural medicines.
  • Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.

What is a sick-day plan for diabetes?

A sick-day plan is a guide that helps you know what to do to prevent high blood sugar when you're ill. It may include a special meal plan and a list of medicines you should and shouldn't take. Your doctor or diabetes educator can help you make a sick-day plan.

Diabetes sick-day plan: When to call

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You passed out (lost consciousness).
  • You are confused or cannot think clearly.
  • Your blood sugar is very high or very low.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • Your blood sugar stays outside the level your doctor set for you.
  • You have any problems.

Diabetes: Using a sick-day plan

Work with your doctor to write a sick-day plan for how to help prevent high blood sugar when you're sick. Keep your plan in a handy place, and let your family know where you keep the plan.

Here are some general sick-day guidelines.

  • Take your diabetes medicines as usual.
    • Keep taking your diabetes medicine, even if you vomit and have trouble eating or drinking.
    • If you are vomiting and can't take your medicine, call your doctor. You may need to adjust your medicines.
    • Write down the diabetes medicines you've been taking. Note if you have changed the dose based on your sick-day plan. You can give this information to your doctor if you need to call.
  • Keep eating and drinking.
    • Try to eat your normal types and amounts of food. Drink extra fluids to prevent dehydration. Ask your doctor about how much and how often you should eat and drink when you're sick.
    • A general guideline is to try to eat or drink 50 grams of carbohydrate every 3 to 4 hours. For example, 6 saltine crackers, 1 cup (8 ounces) of milk, and ½ cup (4 ounces) of orange juice each have about 15 grams of carbohydrate. Your doctor may suggest more or less carbohydrate.
    • If your blood sugar level is higher than the level your doctor recommends (for example, 240 mg/dL), drink extra liquids that don't contain sugar, such as water or sugar-free cola.
    • If you can't eat your usual foods, drink extra liquids, such as soup, sports drinks, or milk. You may also eat food that's gentle on your stomach, such as bananas, rice, crackers, gelatin, or applesauce.
  • Check your blood sugar.
    • Test your blood sugar at least every 3 to 4 hours. Check it more often, even through the night, if it goes up fast.
    • Take insulin if your doctor told you to do so. If you don't have a sick-day plan for taking extra insulin, call your doctor for advice.
  • Do ketone testing if needed.

    If you take insulin, do a test for ketones, especially when you have high blood sugar. Some home blood sugar meters can also measure blood ketones.

  • Be careful with over-the-counter medicines.

    Don't take any nonprescription medicines unless you talk to your doctor first. Many nonprescription medicines can affect your blood sugar level.

  • Know when to contact your doctor.

    Minor illnesses in people with diabetes (especially children with type 1 diabetes) can lead to very high blood sugar levels and possible emergencies. When children are sick, watch them closely for signs that they need medical attention right away.

    • Your doctor will tell you what signs to watch for and what blood sugar level they recommend.
    • Keep your doctor's contact information handy. And be sure you know how to reach your doctor at night or on weekends.

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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.