What is a diabetes sick day action plan? (And how to make one)
Looking after ourselves while sick is always key but especially when managing diabetes. This is because while we are ill, our body releases stress hormones which increase the amount of glucose in our blood.
But why is this so important for someone with diabetes?
Well, having diabetes means needing to understand how to manage blood glucose levels (BGL) when sick, to avoid moving into hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia.
The best way to do this is by making a diabetes sick day action plan.
What is a diabetes sick day action plan?
It’s a step-by-step strategy to manage diabetes while ill. Follow your sick day action plan when:
- You feel unwell, or
- Your BGL remains consistently high (above 15 mmol/L) for 8-12 hours
Chris Tsamandanis
TerryWhite Chemmart Old Reynella, SA and
TerryWhite Chemmart McIntyre Medical Centre, SA
I have diabetes. What should I do?
Step 1: Ask your healthcare providers to develop a sick day plan
Your team will talk about these and other steps:
- A trusted person – Share your plan with someone who can check on you.
- Monitor BGL – Check every two hours or as advised.
- Diabetes medication – If you’re unable to eat or drink, you may need to temporarily stop certain medications.
- Eating and drinking – Eat normally if you can. If this isn’t possible, snack on slow-acting carbohydrates. Drink fluids regularly (125-250mL per hour). Ask your team when to drink fluids with carbohydrates and when to choose diet options.
- Know when to seek help – Contact your doctor if your BGL levels continue to rise, your symptoms worsen or you feel unsure about anything.
Step 2: Prepare a sick day kit
This is a toolkit to keep with you, ready to use when you are ill. If necessary, prepare more than one kit, to keep at home and at work, for example. It’s also important to restock after using supplies so your kit remains up to date.
Here’s what should be in your kit. (If you prefer a PDF, you can find one here.)
✔ A paper copy of your sick day action plan
✔ Blood glucose meter
✔ Thermometer
✔ Hypo kit
✔ Insulin if you use it
✔ Notebook/place to record BGL readings and food and drink intake
✔ Food and drink (primarily low-acting carbohydrates)
✔ Emergency contact list and medical information
Need more support?
Book a diabetes medication review with your TerryWhite Chemmart Pharmacist. In this one-on-one consultation, your Pharmacist will support you to better control your diabetes by helping you:
- Better understand your medications and their role
- Improve how you use your self-monitoring devices
- Provide personalised support suited to your lifestyle
Book your diabetes medication review or find out more about managing diabetes here.