Adult Diabetes: Seeking Health Care
You should be aware of
what kinds of symptoms need urgent medical attention. With your diabetes, you
should contact your doctor or other urgent care provider if:
- You've been sick for a
couple of days or have had a fever that won't go away
- You've been vomiting or
having diarrhea for more than six hours
- You have elevated
amounts of ketones in your urine
- Your glucose levels are
higher than 240 even though you've followed your sick day plan and taken
extra insulin
- You take pills for your
diabetes and your blood sugar level climbs to more than 240 before meals
and stays there for more than 24 hours
- You have symptoms that
might signal some other serious condition (your chest hurts; you are
having trouble breathing; etc.)
- You are worried and
unsure of what to do next
Keep track of your
medications, blood sugar level and urine ketone level. Tell the health care
provider how long you've been sick and whether you can eat and keep food down. It
will help to keep a journal of your various symptoms, medications and levels
when you start feeling sick.
