COVID-19: How can you simplify managing diabetes by regularly using a glucometer?

People with diabetes have higher risks of various infections. Therefore, these diabetic patients might be at increased risk of COVID-19 and have a poorer prognosis. Regular blood sugar level monitoring could be very helpful in the treatment of patients affected by COVID-19.

We all need to be very careful about COVID -19 as currently there is no availability of licensed medication. It is an infectious disease caused by coronavirus, known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Generally, people infected with coronavirus develop infections in their nose and throat, leading to other moderate to severe illnesses. If you have diabetes, your risk of catching COVID-19 is not higher than others but you will be at risk for more severe repercussions. The outcomes can be harmful if your diabetes is not under control. So, you must be aware of your sugar count to reduce the severity of the deadly virus.

Click to know more about Health Monitoring Devices: Why They Are Important and How They Will Help You. 

COVID-19 and Diabetes

Debunked Myth

 “Some people with diabetes would be worried about being at higher risk of getting COVID-19 than the normal people but, actually this is a misconception. However, they are at risk for more severe results. This is what the research studies across the world have proved so far.”

Researchers have spent more than a year studying deeply about the nature of coronavirus and its risk in patients. Clearly, coronavirus affects people differently, especially those with existing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc. Anyone can get coronavirus, but people with chronic illness have a higher risk as they have a weakened immune system. Diabetes is one of these serious health conditions that is affecting millions of people worldwide. Diabetes can cause the failure of the kidney and heart, if not treated appropriately and in time. However, the exact reason for adverse outcomes or COVID-19 in diabetic patients is unknown but, a high level of blood sugar makes patients weak and less able to fight against COVID-19. Moreover, uncontrolled diabetes for a long period will cause inflammation and lead to worse outcomes in patients.

 Why COVID-19 is More Severe in Diabetic Patients

Unfortunately, most people with diabetes fail to manage their condition efficiently (even more if they have been infected by Covid-19). It becomes difficult to treat them because they become severely ill especially because of discrepancies in blood sugar levels. So generally they are more likely in need of a ventilator support or may require emergency hospitalization. Diabetes is a complex health condition that weakens the immune system of a patient. It involves the cardiovascular and endocrine systems and reduces the patient’s natural healing power. It increases insulin resistance in the body and damage vital organs like kidneys, heart, etc. When coronavirus attacks a diabetic patient, his/her body will be less capable of fighting it which increases the chances of serious outcomes in most patients. What is more, is that coronavirus may also bloom easily in a body of raised sugar levels and is harder to control.  

Managing Your Diabetes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if your diabetes control is poor, it might increase the risk of getting infected and having more serious complications.

Info Source: https://utswmed.org/medblog/diabetes-covid-19-risks/  

Diabetic patients or even a healthy person (like you) need to follow some self-care tips or guidelines to reduce risks related to COVID-19 infection. Like normal patients, they also need to stay at home from the very first day with mild symptoms. Managing your diet by filling your plate with the right carbohydrates is also important to maintain your sugar level. Coronavirus can reduce the desire for food, so you need to add fluid to your diet. Drink water often and start taking over-the-counter medicines as per the guidance of your physician. Don’t forget to take prescribed medications to avoid serious complications. However, be careful about the medicines that you have taken to relieve symptoms like fever and cough. In addition to all these factors, your primary concern should be your blood sugar level. A glucose monitor can help you measure blood glucose levels more often and much more efficiently.

Watching Sugar Count to Avoid Further Complications

Home-use blood glucose meters can help diabetic patients to check their own blood glucose levels effortlessly either at home, or in nursing homes or hospitals. These portable and easy-to-use devices are specially designed to help to check the blood sugar level at the patient’s convenience. One of the biggest advantages of these devices is that they shows real-time blood sugar readings in addition to warning of dangerous blood sugar levels. On the other hand, insulin-dependent patients should have Glucose + Ketone testing kits at home so that they can monitor their ketone levels easily without contacting anyone else.

To start monitoring your glucose level more often, consider buying your own glucometer. Buy Dr Trust Glucometer to get a test done without coming in close contact with someone. To make this process easy, Dr Trust offers all required testing accessories in a single pack so that patients can check their blood sugar level in seconds, worry-free and safely (anywhere). It also gives you an early warning if the ketones level is rising over a certain level. Alternative Site Testing (AST) feature allows you to get blood sample from any other possible site like upper arm. Calf, palm etc.. for making testing painless. The meter stores the 1000 most recent blood glucose test results in its memory while its Strip Ejection Button minimizes the risk of contagion. By a push of the Strip Ejection Button, the used strip can be disposed of without any physical contact. Use a 0.5µL blood sample for making ‘testing’ a pain-free process.

How to check blood sugar levels? Click to watch this short video on using Dr Trust Glucometer and Strips at home.

Furthermore, you should have all other necessary health monitoring devices like a thermometer, BP monitor, and pulse oximeter in place in case you get sick or feel like you may have any of the COVID-19 symptoms. Also, consider getting vaccinated as soon as possible to reduce your chances of getting the Coronavirus. Follow the norms like keeping a distance from others and maintaining good hygiene.