How To Manage Diabetes During Coronavirus Pandemic

I have been Inundated with messages from people worried about how to manage their diabetes during the coronavirus pandemic. 

So this week I want to talk about diabetes and how to manage the condition. Fortunately, with some additional care and attention, diabetes can be effectively managed all year long. As pharmacists, at Healthcare4all we are providers of diabetes products and can give advice on managing diabetes effectively.

Whilst I completely appreciate that some of the suggestions below are more challenging in the current pandemic, they are all achievable. 

Avoid catching colds and flu 

According to  Diabetes.co.uk, due to the difficulties it can create with diabetes management, people with diabetes are generally at a greater risk in they catch flu. One potentially dangerous complication of flu can be the onset of pneumonia, which people with diabetes are more at risk from developing compared to those without diabetes.

It is therefore important that if you have diabetes you try and stave off colds and flu all year round.

It is advised that anyone over the age of 70 still self isolates to protect themselves from catching Coronavirus and this applies to people with health complications too. I would suggest that if you have diabetes and are able, to stay at home as advised by the government irrespective of your age.

Washing your hands 

Washing your hands often and using sanitisers (Good luck finding a hand sanitiser at the moment though!!) can help ward off the germs associated with colds and flu. Getting plenty of rest and having the flu vaccine can help avoid people from getting the flu.

Washing your hands is EXTREMELY important!! If you have to go out wash hands before leaving, and then immediately when you get back. Try not to touch any surfaces without wearing gloves that could contain germs, such as shopping trolley handles, door handles, pedestrian crossing buttons etc. I would even suggest after receiving mail to wash your hands immediately afterwards. 

So why is it so Important to wash your hands?

Handwashing with soap or antibacterial hand wash removes germs from hands. This helps prevent infections because: People frequently touch their eyes, nose, and mouth without even realizing it.

Removing germs through handwashing therefore helps prevent diarrhea and respiratory infections including Covid-19 and may even help prevent skin and eye infections.

here is a the NHS website explaining how to wash your hands properly

And here is a link to more information on the coronavirus on the NHS website

Keep warm 

The Mayo Clinic advises that people with diabetes stay warm, and keep their feet protected and warm by wearing comfortable shoes and socks to help keep circulation problems at bay.

Thankfully the weather seems to be warming up in the UK now!

Eat well and exercise

Try and stay healthy throughout the winter by eating well. Have a well-balanced diet that comprises of plenty of fruit, vegetables, protein and grains.

Taking regular exercise can also help you stay fit to ward off potentially harmful illnesses.

Once again I appreciate that if you are staying at home exercise is more challenging to do. However, be it sitting down then standing up, or walking around the garden. I remember my grandma used to lay on the floor and cycle in the air every morning to help with her arthritis. She said that when she woke she couldn’t move very well, and once she did her exercises she was fine. So there are things you can do at home.

Diabetes products

Diabetes monitoring with products such as a diabetes monitor and a diabetes meter is extremely important during the winter. Such products enable diabetics to test, monitor and control their blood sugar levels.

Healthcare4all has a range of diabetes monitoring products and equipment for sale.

We currently have a special offer for the following 3 GlucoRXproducts. They are all the same price only £19.98

GlucoRx Nexus Blood Glucose Monitoring System Starter Kit TD-4277

The GlucoRx Nexus Blood Glucose Meter is a quality and affordable product that facilitates simple management of diabetes with key features such as no coding, 
0.5µL blood volume for a reaction in 5 seconds, before/after (AC/PC) presetable, painless AST, ketone warning, strip ejection facility, large non-deletable memory, 
day averages function, alarm reminders, discreet testing and PC software link for those seeking stress-free, fast, precise and reliable measurements. 

The device is particularly suitable for individuals with dexterity issues.
The GlucoRx Nexus Test Strips utilise advanced GDH-FAD enzyme technology which avoids interference from blood oxygen variations for more accurate blood glucose measurement, and has no reactivity to maltose in dialysis.
GlucoRx Nexus meter uses only GlucoRx Nexus Test Strips and GlucoRx Lancets

Features:
Conforms to Accuracy requirements of ISO 15197:2015
Advanced GDH-FAD Enzyme technology
Large backlit screen
No coding
0.5µL blood volume for result in 5 seconds
AC/PC meal markers
Ketone warning
Alternative Site Testing
Four alarms and Discreet testing
Stores 1000 non-deletable readings (fulfils DVLA memory requirements) with Day averages
Strip ejection
PC link for Software download and Diasend compatible.

GlucoRx Nexus Mini Ultra Blood Glucose Monitoring System Starter Kit

Our most compact meter with improved functionality, scrolling main button and strip insertion/backlight!

Conforms to Accuracy requirements of ISO 15197:2015
Advanced GDH-FAD Enzyme technology
No coding needed
0.5µL blood volume for result in 5 seconds
AC/PC meal markers
Alternative Site Testing
Four alarms and Discreet testing
Stores 1000 non-deletable readings (fulfils DVLA memory requirements) with Day averages
Strip ejection
PC link for Software download and will be Diasend compatible.
Can purchase Bluetooth Dongle from GlucoRx’s online Shop which transfers measuring data from meter to Smart Phone (iOS and Android) via GlucoRx Blue App
Uses GlucoRx Nexus Test Strips and GlucoRx Lancets.

We also have GlucoRx Nexus Blood Glucose Test Strips (x50)