What should you do?
Keeping your levels as close as possible to your target range will keep you healthier longer. It's OK to have a
higher than normal blood sugar reading once in a while. It's only a problem when you have high blood sugar a lot or
if you have a very high reading.
The sick-day blues
When you get sick, your blood-sugar level might go way up. Check your blood sugar often and, if you have Type 1 diabetes,
test for ketones in your urine. Your doctor will need to know this information.
Drink plenty of caffeine-free, calorie-free liquids. Try to eat something such as broth or plain toast, or drink some juice, even
if your stomach is upset. Your doctor or diabetes educator can best tell you and your parent(s) on how to treat your diabetes when
you're sick.
DKA--Serious stuff
When people with Type 1 diabetes get sick, or if their blood-sugar level stays very high, this may cause diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA.
You should check for ketones using a urine test strip if you are sick or if your blood sugar is very high.
Ketones are a sign something is wrong, and your parent(s) should call your doctor for advice. DKA is serious.
If you have nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, and deep and rapid breathing, you may have symptoms of DKA and should go
to the doctor or hospital.
The low down on hypoglycemia
Just like when a car runs out of gas, your body tells you when it's low on fuel. Low blood sugar
(hypoglycemia) is when blood-sugar levels drop too low. It often strikes just before meals,
when blood sugar tends to be low, but can also occur while exercising or just afterwards, and
it's becoming more common during sleep.
Why does it happen?
Low blood sugar happens in kids with Type 1 for three reasons: 1) They take too much insulin for the amount of food
they eat or the amount they have exercised; 2) They don't eat enough food or don't eat on time; and, 3) They exercise too
much for the amount of insulin they take.
