Maintaining blood glucose control is a challenge every day - but it's even harder when you are sick. Illness affects your normal eating, sleeping, and exercise patterns. And hormones that your body secretes when you are sick can cause your liver to release more glucose than usual. All of this could lead to hyperglycemia - or worse.

You should have already worked out a plan for sick days with your doctor. Here are some guidelines to remember:

• Try to stick to your usual diet. If nausea or vomiting make normal eating impossible, eat foods that are easy on your stomach and contain plenty of carbohydrates such as applesauce, broths, hot cereal, yogurt, gelatin, and crackers. Eat small portions throughout the day. If you can't tolerate these, drink liquids that contain carbohydrates.
• Drink plenty of beverages to avoid getting dehydrated - one 8-oz glass every hour. If you are eating regularly, have sugar-free drinks such as water, tea, and diet soda. If you are not eating, drink liquids that contain carbohydrates such as regular soda, orange juice, and sports drinks. Alternate between those with sugar and those without throughout the day.
• Non-aspirin drugs such as acetaminophen are best for reducing a fever.
• Check cough-and-cold medications to see if they contain sugar or alcohol. If you take one that contains alcohol, be sure to eat before you take it. If you take one with sugar, check your blood glucose levels carefully after taking it.
• Get plenty of rest, which will keep blood glucose levels down. Avoid exertion.
• Don't forget to treat the illness itself - take any prescribed medication.

Be sure to monitor blood glucose levels no matter how bad you feel, and try to stick to your medication schedule. We'll go into more detail about those important aspects of care next week.

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