In the subway, you might have noticed people frequently sanitize their hands. You see this apart from they use face masks and keep a good social distance from each other.
All these precautions are undoubtedly good, but what I am telling is, the virus had to steal a lot from us to let us finally grasp the importance of all these.
Effects of COVID-19 in Diabetic Patients
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It is not a shame, but to be afraid of the COVID-19 pandemic anymore. We all know it really sucks! We see people who initially didn’t pay much attention to the pandemic are getting more and more conscious right now.
Presently, people with pre-existing health issues are more worried about whether they would be more prone to the coronavirus. Especially people with lung diseases, cardiovascular troubles, and other conditions like diabetes.
It was not far earlier, many scientific reports about the impact of COVID-19 on diabetic patients had appeared. Those made it clear that the virus has nothing to do with the variations of glucose levels in people. However, anyone who already has diabetes turns positive with COVID-19 will develop more critical complications.
So, it is obvious that you need to be more careful if you either have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Why I want to be Cautious?
Since diabetic people are more likely to have serious complications from any type of viral infection, there is no exception with coronavirus.
In fact, it can be severe and even lead to death. Once a diabetic patient gets contracted with the virus, it would be hard to treat them since their glucose levels tend to fluctuate.
As the complications of COVID-19 are worse with those who have irregularities in blood sugar levels, let’s see some of the practical reasons behind it.
- Weak immune system
Your immune system is weakened with higher blood sugar levels. As a result, your body’s natural capacity to fight off infections declines and you will experience dreadful conditions once you get infected with the coronavirus.
- Chronic inflammatory state
This is a condition mainly experienced by diabetic patients, and this will lead to a more critical inflammatory response to the COVID-19 pandemic which eventually becomes a life-threatening cytokine storm. The ultimate result of this could be organ damage.
- Presence of ACE2 receptors
Patients with type 2 diabetes have the presence of more ACE2 receptors in many tissues which adds to the intensity of coronavirus complications. The spike protein of the virus can easily enter into the cells with the presence of this.
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
DKA is a very serious condition that you need to be cautious about. The infection of the coronavirus can lead you to a huge risk of complications with diabetes when high levels of acid build-up occur in your blood.
When To Test Covid-19?
After this particular virus appeared among us, we have been keeping in touch with it. We are still afraid and eager at the same time to know to what extent the virus can damage the global population.
Let’s have a look at certain abnormalities in which you can suspect an infection.
- Fever with severe headaches
- Dizziness
- Difficulties in breathing
- Cough and throat infection
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
Normally, these symptoms appear after 3-7 days of exposure to the virus. However, in some people, it takes up to 14 days for them to show up.
How to Avoid Covid-19 Infection?
As of present, no particular medicine is invented against COVID-19. Hence, in this case, it is better to prevent it than to seek any cure. If you are a diabetic, you have to take double precautions to save yourself from the virus. Since the initial outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, we have been hearing of the precautions. In case you missed anything, you can refer to the measures listed down here.
- Stay at home as much as you can: Since the pandemic traumatized everyone, most people are working from home and taking sick leave if they need it.
You can also follow this as it is your right. In case you need anything from an outside store, you better seek the help of someone else to fetch you all the necessary things and the required medicines.
- Preventive measures: suppose you meet with an inevitable reason to step out from your house, don’t forget to stick to the guidelines given by the authorities.
This includes masking, appropriate social distancing, and washing your hands with soap or sanitizing them often while you are outdoor and immediately after returning home. You can also keep yourself away from those who show any symptoms of COVID-19 infection.
- Keep your blood sugar levels under control: Regularly follow the medicines prescribed by your doctor.
If you can monitor the blood sugar levels, you will get rid of the complications caused by irregularities in blood sugar levels. So, ensure that you have a better supply of your diabetes medicines.
- Keep good hygiene: masking, washing hands, keeping them out of your face are indeed the measures that lead to good hygiene. However, apart from these, don’t forget to disinfect the surfaces like door handles, phone screens, and faucets frequently as they are regularly touched by many.
- Don’t Share: sharing is not at all caring during the rough years of the pandemic. So, avoid sharing food, towels, glasses, and other things.
- Cover your mouth: use a handkerchief or tissue while you cough or sneeze, in case you don’t have one, use the crook of your arms.
- Don’t touch your face: try to avoid touching your facial parts, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth, before you wash or sanitize your hands.
- Hydrate yourself: once your glucose levels get an extension, your body would be in more need of fluids. Hence, save up a water bottle nearby.
- Keep a regular schedule: regularize your sleeping and working times along with your diet.
Above all these, don’t panic if you feel ill. Your healthcare provider will be there to help you with all the necessities. In the absence of a healthcare provider, you can contact your nearest community health center or health department.
