This year’s pandemic has been a major source of anxiety, especially for those with preexisting health concerns. There is much speculation surrounding the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on patients with diabetes. Let’s look at the facts surrounding these two conditions to help calm your nerves and what you can do to stay safe and well.
Are Diabetic Patients At Greater Risk?
Currently, there is not a strong correlation of data to prove that patients with diabetes are at greater risk for contracting COVID-19. However, people with diabetes may experience stronger complications if they do get the virus, especially if these individuals are not managing their diabetic symptoms well, to begin with. This is true for any sort of infection, not just the corona virus.
Diabetes affects the body’s ability to fight off viruses and infection. COVID-19 does this, as well. Both conditions attack the immune system making it much more difficult to protect the body from illness and inflammation. If experienced together, COVID-19 and diabetes can dramatically increase your risk of inflammation, infection, and internalized swelling. These issues can be even more serious for those with gestational diabetes and type 1 diabetes.
Those with mild symptoms of the coronavirus or those who are asymptomatic may be able to manage the illness at home through rest and self-quarantine. (We always recommend that you notify your physician if you are immunocompromised and have such symptoms.) If you are experiencing severe symptoms of COVID-19, you should call your doctor as soon as possible.
Coronavirus symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, an irritable bowel, a loss of taste, and a dry cough. Significant fatigue also seems to be a prominent symptom of this particular virus. Chest pain or difficulty breathing can be serious, life-threatening symptoms and may require immediate service.
Best Practices For Diabetic Patients During the Pandemic
If you or a loved one has diabetes, keep these practices in mind to protect against the contraction of COVID-19:
· Manage diabetic symptoms through balanced diet and exercise
· Regularly monitor blood sugar levels
· Stay away from crowded areas
· Wash your hands regularly and keep sanitizer on hand
· If venturing into public places, wear a mask and keep distance
Also, ensure that you have optimized your immune system and make sure you take all medications prescribed for your condition on schedule.
Don’t forget to keep in contact with your personal physician, even through convenient telemedicine appointments that can be done from home. Stay smart, stay apart as much as possible, and stay well!
Diabetic Care at Warner Orthopedics & Wellness
At Warner Orthopedics & Wellness, we look forward to serving you and helping you feel better faster. We work with our diabetic patients and directly with your primary caregivers to provide you with the proper care for your needs. We offer comprehensive diabetic foot and ankle care and treatment of neuropathy to ensure that your feet remain happy, healthy, and pain-free.
We take your health and safety into account at all times, but especially during this pandemic. Masks are required for appointments, which we offer at the door to protect you and our staff. Our team is well-versed on the safety measures needed to keep you safe from the coronavirus, and our facility is kept clean and sanitized after every appointment.
We are currently accepting in-person meetings, but you can also schedule telemedicine appointments with our clinic and stay comfortably at home! Contact us today with any questions or scheduling needs.
