On November 14, the world celebrates World Diabetes Day, which this year comes amid the pandemic of the emerging corona virus that causes Covid-19 disease, so what are the most important things that diabetics should do to enhance their immunity?
How do they protect themselves from the danger of Corona?
What does a diabetic patient do if he suffers from corona?
Answers and more in this report.
The International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization began focusing the spotlight on World Diabetes Day in 1991;
In response to the escalating health threat posed by diabetes, according to the Qatar Diabetes Association.
Since then, interest has developed into the largest diabetes awareness campaign in the world, and an official day for awareness at the United Nations.
The theme of World Diabetes Day 2020 is "The Nurse and Diabetes", and the campaign aims to raise awareness about the major role that nurses play in supporting people living with diabetes.
According to the International Diabetes Federation website, as the number of people with diabetes continues to rise worldwide, the role of nurses and other health support personnel is becoming increasingly important in managing the impact of this condition.
Diabetics and Corona
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults of any age who suffer from certain underlying medical conditions are at an increased risk of developing serious complications as a result of the Corona virus (Covid-19), and severe disease resulting from Covid-19 is known as hospitalization or admission to the intensive care unit. Or intubation or mechanical ventilation.
According to these centers, diabetes is one of the diseases that increases the risk of serious complications from Covid-19.
The following graphic shows 9 of the most prominent symptoms of Corona virus, and to find out a detailed list of symptoms of Corona infection, click on this link.
According to research published in the Lancet medical journal and reported by the German News Agency, the risk of dying from the Coronavirus doubles for patients with diabetes.
The study said that "people with diabetes have a greater tendency during health emergencies to be exposed to twice the risk of severe disease or death" after infection with the virus.
Doctors and scientists from countries such as Australia, China, South Africa and the United States found that "individuals suffering from diabetes or comorbidities or both" are "particularly vulnerable" to contracting COVID-19.
How can boost immunity in people with diabetes?
In response to a question: Are people with diabetes at greater risk of Corona virus?
The Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar says on its website that diabetics - like other people with chronic diseases - have lower immunity than healthy people.
When blood sugar is high, the resistant cells do not work well to fight the infectious attack of viruses.
This allows the infection to be transmitted quickly and dangerously.
HMC provides advice for people with diabetes to boost their immune system:
Maintaining blood sugar levels within the therapeutic goal, as recommended by your healthcare professionals (fasting blood glucose levels are 80-130 mg / dL, and after eating less than 180 mg / dL).
In the event of frequent rises in the blood sugar level above 180, contact your doctor to adjust the dose of medicines.
Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water.
Eat a balanced diet, including 3 meals, as well as snacks containing various foods (carbohydrates, fats and protein, plus fruits and vegetables), as prescribed by your healthcare professionals.
Ensure that you have all annual vaccinations such as influenza and pneumococcus.
Maintain a healthy body weight.
Maintain regular exercise even if you are at home.
Preventive measures
Hamad Medical Corporation puts in place a number of preventive measures that diabetes patients must take, which are:
Take care of your health and blood sugar level.
Make sure you take blood pressure and cholesterol medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Follow the Ministry of Public Health's instructions regarding practicing social distancing, staying home, avoiding crowds and parks, and refraining from touching others or surfaces.
Always use a face mask and protective gloves when visiting public areas (such as the grocery store or when attending an appointment), whether at work or even at home when there is a family gathering.
Personal hygiene is extremely important for diabetics at this time of the virus outbreak.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol solution of no less than (60%) or disinfectant.
Diabetics are more prone to dehydration, and a prescription hand cream can be used at night to prevent dehydration caused by continuous use of antiseptic.
What does a diabetic do when infected with the virus?
First - If you develop symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fever, or shortness of breath, stick to home quarantine and avoid any contact with others, and call the national Covid-19 hotline.
Second - practicing "sick days rules" for people with diabetes, which are:
Do not stop taking diabetes medications, and you will need more insulin in case of illness, and talk to the specialist diabetes team.
Check sugar more often (at least every 4 hours).
Drink more water to avoid dehydration.
Eat small, frequent meals.
Don't diet, but avoid gaining weight.
Get enough rest, and put off exercise.
If you live alone, get support from relatives or friends.
If you notice that your blood sugar readings are high (more than 300 mg / dL after two consecutive tests over a period of 2 to 8 hours), do not panic, as this is a normal response of the body to infection, and call the diabetes hotline.
Gargle your mouth with warm water and salt.
Monitor the temperature and, if needed, use acetaminophen (a fever reducer), paracetamol or panadol, in place of the anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen or advil.
Always follow the recommendations of a healthcare professional team.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin, or when the body is unable to effectively use the insulin it produces, according to the World Health Organization.
Insulin is a hormone that regulates the level of sugar in the blood, and hyperglycaemia or high blood sugar level is one of the common effects that occur as a result of uncontrolled diabetes, and over time it leads to severe damage to many body systems, especially nerves and blood vessels.
What are the effects of diabetes on health?
Diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves over time, and adults with diabetes have a double or 3-fold increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Poor blood flow and neuropathy (nerve damage) at the level of the feet increases the risk of foot ulcers and infection, and ultimately the necessity of amputation of limbs.
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the main causes of blindness, and is caused by the long-term accumulation of damage to the small blood vessels in the retina.
Diabetes mellitus accounts for 2.6% of blindness worldwide.
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney failure.
How to prevent
The World Health Organization says simple lifestyle measures have proven effective in preventing type 2 diabetes or delaying its onset.
To help prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications, people should do the following:
Work to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Get physical activity - that is, at least 30 minutes of moderate and regular physical activity most days of the week.
Weight control requires more physical activity.
Eat a healthy diet while limiting sugary and saturated fats.
Avoid tobacco use, as smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.