Managing Diabetes When Sick

When you're sick, your body releases stress hormones that can send blood sugar soaring—even if you're not eating much. This isn't just about feeling worse; it’s a medical risk. Managing diabetes when sick, the process of adjusting your treatment during illness to prevent dangerous spikes or drops in glucose. Also known as a sick day plan, it’s not optional—it’s life-saving. Whether it’s a cold, flu, infection, or even a bad sinus issue, your body treats it like a crisis. And if you have diabetes, that crisis hits your pancreas, liver, and insulin response hard.

One key thing most people miss: you don’t stop taking insulin when you’re sick. In fact, you often need more. Your liver keeps pumping out glucose, even on an empty stomach, and your cells can’t use it without enough insulin. That’s why checking your blood sugar every 2–4 hours is critical. If you’re on insulin, you might need to adjust doses based on your readings—not your appetite. And if your sugar stays above 240 mg/dL for more than two checks, test for ketones. High ketones mean your body is breaking down fat for fuel, which can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). That’s an emergency. You don’t wait to call your doctor—you act now.

Insulin adjustment, the process of changing insulin doses during illness to match your body’s changing needs isn’t guesswork. It’s based on patterns: fever raises blood sugar, vomiting can drop it, and dehydration makes both worse. Keep a log: what you ate, what you took, your sugar numbers, and how you felt. That’s your best tool. Diabetic illness, any health issue that disrupts blood sugar control in people with diabetes doesn’t care if it’s Monday or if you’re busy. It shows up and demands attention.

You don’t need fancy supplements or miracle teas. What you need is a clear plan made with your doctor before you get sick. Know your target ranges for illness. Know when to call for help. Know which over-the-counter meds are safe—some decongestants and cough syrups have hidden sugars or can raise blood pressure. And hydration? Non-negotiable. Water, broth, sugar-free electrolyte drinks. No soda. No juice. Even if you’re nauseous, sip slowly. Your kidneys are working overtime to flush out excess sugar. They need water to do it.

And if you’re on oral meds like metformin? Talk to your provider. Some drugs need to be paused during vomiting or severe illness because of kidney stress. But insulin? Almost never. That’s the one thing you don’t skip.

This collection of articles doesn’t just tell you what to do. It shows you how real people handled it—when the flu hit hard, when infections messed with their numbers, when they had to decide between calling 911 or trying to ride it out. You’ll find practical checklists, real-life insulin adjustment examples, and what to stock in your sick day kit. No fluff. No theory. Just what works when you’re too tired to think straight but your body is screaming for balance.