COVID-19 and Diabetes

EDMONTON, AB - COVID-19 can cause more severe symptoms and complications in some people living with diabetes, as well as in older people, and those with other chronic health conditions. Our friends at Diabetes.ca wrote an article that highlighted some points to help diabetics navigate what lays ahead.

I have diabetes and I think I may be infected. What do I do?

If you have diabetes and you have symptoms such as a cough, high temperature and feeling short of breath, you need to continue taking your medication and contact your primary care physician. For those who routinely monitor their blood glucose, on the advice of their clinical team, they should continue to do this more often.

If you have diabetes and you become unwell for any reason, it is important that you practice sick day management , by maintaining open communication with your primary care provider and diabetes care team. Staying hydrated and having unsweetened drinks on hand; and practicing eating smaller portions but more often

Should I stop taking certain blood pressure medications because I’ve heard that these drugs may affect my risk of COVID-19 infection?

Blood pressure control is an essential part of managing diabetes. In addition, certain blood pressure lowering medications are often recommended for people living with diabetes to protect them from kidney and heart-related complications, even in the absence of high blood pressure.

At the present time, there is no confirmed scientific link between these blood pressure medications and the risk of COVID-19 infection or its complications.

Please do NOT stop or change any of your medications without discussing with your health-care team.

If you become ill (unable to eat or drink properly) for any reason, there are certain actions that have been shown to reduce your risk of other problems. Please review this document for practical things to do to stay safe when you have diabetes and are sick or at risk of dehydration.

How can I prepare in the event I become infected and have diabetes?

Everyone should have a plan in case they or a loved one becomes ill. For people living with diabetes, this is very important. Your plan may include:

- Gather the contact information for your doctors, clinic, pharmacy and your insurance-

- Write down the names and doses of your medications

- Have enough medication for one-two weeks in case you cannot get to the pharmacy to refill your prescriptions

- Ensure you have enough device supplies as well (i.e. pump supplies, pen supplies, monitor supplies, etc.)

- Ensure all your medications have refills available, so you do not have to leave the house if you become ill

- Have extra supplies like rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizers and soap to wash your hands

- Keep simple sugars (i.e. glucose tablets) on-hand in case you need to treat low blood sugar which may occur more frequently with illness  due to changes to eating patterns

- Have glucagon available in case of a significant low blood sugar (if taking insulin or medications that can cause low blood sugar)

- Have ketone strips available in case of illness (if you have type 1 diabetes)

There is HOPE!

Canadian and Alberta researchers have an historical record of resolving issues like COVID-19 and are currently working in that space. On March 13, 2020 collaborating researchers in Ontario isolated the COVID-19 virus which will help develop treatments, vaccines and tests for the virus. Canadian research was paramount in combating SARS in 2003 and most recently in developing an AIDS vaccine – all of which have an international scope and benefit.

But many are not aware how big Alberta researchers on the stage for cure-based research for diabetes. Alberta is an international Centre of Excellence for diabetes research. Pandemics like COVID-19 make people living with diabetes that much more susceptible to the virus, making a cure that much more critical . Your donation to Alberta Diabetes Foundation will help fund local researcher and technicians’ salaries and lab work to allow them to continue with this critical work. If you can, we appreciate your support so this life-changing research can continue. Please consider an online donation today.