People with diabetes should prepare themselves so that they are in best possible health and have the necessary knowledge and supplies for when they need to self-treat any illness.
There are simple things you can do today to prepare yourself:
- You should have a sick day regime to follow in case of illness – if you haven’t, get one from your diabetes team today.
- For people with Type 1 diabetes – ensure you have ketone strips.
- For people with Type 2 diabetes – know if you need to alter any medications.
- For anyone using a pump ensure they have insulins (basal and bolus) to use in case of pump failure.
- Make sure you have two weeks supply of medication where possible – ring the pharmacy and arrange date and time for collection the week before your script needs filling. Note Pharmacists are to be allowed by law to dispense medicines outside the dates spelled out in prescriptions according to their own professional judgement. In addition, the pharmacist can only dispense one month’s supply of medications per month under the Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme.
- Ensure you have an adequate supply of non-diet drinks i.e. soft drinks and simple foods that contain some sugar in case you cannot take solid foods.
- Make sure you have a thermometer – the first question you will be asked if you need to seek medical attention is have you a fever (temperature above 38 °C or 100.4 °F).
- Do everything possible to maintain good glucose control.
- for people with Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, see Diabetes Smart.
- for people with Type 1 diabetes, reinstate frequent glucose monitoring and insulin adjustment.