Diabetes already affects 34.2 million Americans, 10% of the country’s population, and the arrival of COVID-19 is increasing the incidence of diabetes at an alarming rate. An additional 88 million people, or one in three, have been diagnosed with prediabetes.
In observance of Diabetes Alert Day (March 23), Kadan Homecare wanted to take a moment to explain the mystifying and often deadly link between diabetes and COVID-19.
High blood sugar weakens the immune system, compromising the body’s ability to handle infection. As a result, having type 1 or type 2 increases diabetics’ chances of having a severe COVID-19 experience. Close to 25% of the people who arrive at the hospital with severe COVID-19 infections are diabetic. In addition, diabetics with uncontrolled diabetes who contract COVID-19 will face much more serious complications, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). High levels of acids in the blood trigger DKA and can cause sepsis as well.
Consider the experience of Mihail Zilbermin, MD, the leader of a team dedicated to treating diabetics at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Zilbermin found that patients arrived at the hospital with COVID-19 and left with full-blown diabetes. What is troubling about this significant change in the patients’ condition is that they had no previous history of diabetes. Some developed type 1 diabetes, which renders patients not able to produce the insulin needed to control their blood sugar, while others left with type 2, when the body either makes too little insulin or becomes resistant to insulin causing blood sugar levels to increase.
Scientists are baffled as to whether COVID-19 exacerbates pre-existing but not evident diabetic conditions, causes diabetes or both.
If you are diabetic and not feeling quite right, the first thing you need to do is stay home. Next, check your blood sugar more frequently and begin tracking your fluid consumption. Because COVID-19 can make you eat less, you need to drink more fluids than you normally do. Be aware that while high doses of OTC medicines, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, may lessen the impact of COVID-19 symptoms, they can lower your blood sugar. Taking sugar-heavy liquid cough and cold medicines can push your readings out of control as well. If you are using a continuous glucose monitor, be on the alert for falsely high readings.
While diabetics’ reactions to COVID-19 exposure can vary widely, be alert to how you feel. Symptoms of the virus usually present two to 14 days after exposure. Watch for the onset of:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Diabetics with moderate or large ketones; DKA symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, body aches, vomiting or belly pain; or severe shortness of breath should call their doctor. When you make the call, have your most recent blood sugar and ketone readings, as well as an estimate of your liquid intake handy.
However, there are emergency warning signs of a severe reaction. If any of the following reactions occur, seek medical assistance immediately:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
As is true with most medical conditions, awareness and closely monitoring your readings is key. No matter which type of diabetes you have, keeping tight control of your diabetes can lower your risk of contracting COVID-19 and its serious, sometimes deadly complications.
