The disease greatly complicates the course of COVID-19: doctors have advised how to treat patients

The year 2020 is exceptional in its challenges. And for some, the challenges are much greater, even 10 percent. COVID-19 cases are associated with diabetes. So we all need our support even more than usual. The good news is that good diabetes control significantly improves the outcome of a viral illness.

Is diabetes classified as a higher risk group for COVID-19?

The course of COVID-19 infection is more severe in elderly patients and patients with chronic diseases. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes due to poor disease control or chronic complications of diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, may be more likely to complicate the more severe course of the coronavirus.

It is important to note that it is more difficult to maintain target blood glucose levels during infection and the risk of acute complications of diabetes increases. The course of COVID-19 is complicated by the long duration of diabetes, poor disease control, and complications.

Why is COVID-19 more dangerous for people with diabetes?

The main symptoms of COVID-19 are already well known to all: fever, shortness of breath or shortness of breath, dry cough, headache, drowsiness, general weakness. In mild cases, the disease can be asymptomatic, in severe cases, causing pneumonia with respiratory failure, sepsis or septic shock.

People with diabetes often have more severe COVID-19, more severe symptoms, and more frequent infection complications. This is typical of any viral infection. COVID-19 is more difficult to control in your diabetes: There may be significant fluctuations in blood glucose: fever increases the risk of ketoacidosis and, in the absence of appetite, increases the risk of hypoglycemia. During illness, additional efforts are required to control comorbidity.

Better diabetes control means better COVID-19 solutions

Proper diabetes control has been found to improve the outcome of viral infections, so constant medical attention is essential. Good glycemic control helps prevent infection by strengthening the body’s natural defenses.
Follow-up recommendations

For adequate control of the disease, it is important to monitor blood glucose levels as often as possible (on an empty stomach, after meals, before bedtime, after active activity, suspected hypoglycemia, malaise, etc. .). Know the symptoms of high blood glucose: frequent urination, thirst, weakness, headache. Maintain good diabetes control: Optimal if glucose fluctuation limits are between 4 and 10 mmol / L and glycosylated hemoglobin (3-month mean glucose) is less than 7% in the absence of glucose depletion.

If you have type 1 diabetes and have a blood glucose test> 13 mmol / L multiple times, check your urine for ketones (be sure to contact your doctor if this is the case). Note that paracetamol-containing medications reduce the accuracy of continuous glycemic measuring devices, they may show higher glycemic values, so regular glycemic monitoring is also recommended. Ibuprofen can increase the effects of insulin and lower blood glucose levels.

– Keep a diet diary, record your fluid intake, carbohydrate intake, measure blood pressure and heart rate.

– Drink sugar-free fluids during infection to avoid a dangerous decrease in fluid intake, and eat frequently and in moderation. In case of low blood glucose, use glucose tablets, sweet liquids.

– It is recommended that you have a supply of medications (insulin!) For at least a month. Take care of glucagon, ketones, and blood glucose test strips. If you have any questions or are out of prescriptions, please contact your treating physician, who will remotely prescribe and answer any questions you may have.

– Given the various challenges of diabetes during a pandemic, in an epidemiological situation where access to a GP can be difficult, we recommend remote consultation with endocrinologists. Modern technological tools and remote consultation provide an excellent opportunity for diabetics to get a medical consultation and all the information they need. If properly prepared, your doctor can provide the highest level of service.

– Vaccine against influenza and pneumococcal infection on a routine basis.

It is important to mention that type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed only during preventive exams, so people are often not suspected of having the disease. For them, exposure to COVID-19 can be a real challenge, so we recommend that you not only take all necessary preventive measures, such as washing or disinfecting your hands, maintaining a safe distance from contact, or avoiding contact with COVID- 19, but also have regular health checks to detect possible diabetes. . Good diabetes control is a great chance to experience only mild COVID-19 symptoms, even if you can’t help but face one of the biggest challenges these days.

World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14. It’s the birthday of Frederic Banting, a Canadian who and his colleagues raised the idea of ​​insulin production. 98 years ago, Frederick Banting first rescued a 14-year-old boy with diabetes by injecting him with insulin. Since then, a fatal disease has been controlled and allows a person to live a full life. 1923 for this he was awarded the Nobel Prize.