Cold season is upon us - the coughing, sniffling, sneeze-inducing weather that makes us want to hide beneath our duvets with a steaming bowl of soup. It can be a dangerous time for those with diabetes and you may be wondering how managing your condition figures in when you’re ill.

The first step is finding out if you are at risk.

Consistent, daily management of your diabetes is crucial. When we’re sick, our blood glucose levels fluctuate unpredictably. To manage these fluctuations, it’s recommended that you test yourself every two to four hours. This will help you prevent your blood glucose from spiking or dropping drastically.

Taking multiple medications at once isn’t ideal, but it’s important that you continue taking your diabetes medication and insulin while you are ill. When choosing a cold or flu medication, opt for sugar-free syrups and lozenges so you’re not adding extra sugar to your system.

Hydration is an important factor for all people who have diabetes. It’s even more important for those who are sick. Be sure to drink lots of water or flavoured, sugar-free beverages to replace any lost fluids.

Keeping your skin hydrated is also important, not only when you are sick, but also during the rest of the year. Have a bottle of lotion handy for any point in the day when your legs and feet become dry. Massage the lotion in, stimulating circulation. These additional moments can be imperative to the maintenance of your foot health.

Staying healthy during the winter months is important to all of us. If you have any questions about how proper diabetic healthcare affects the health of your feet, or if you are experiencing any foot discomfort, please contact our foot specialists. Brian Cragg, our Chiropodist, can assess your condition and give you the guidelines and care necessary to keep your feet healthy.