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Diabetes and infection
- Thread starter rosey
- Start date
- Status
DeusXM
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Absolutely.
When you're infected, your body undergoes stress which causes two major reactions.
Firstly, your body produces a lot of cortisol, a stress hormone. Cortisol blocks your insulin from working as well as it should so if you have either insulin resistance or low insulin production, you'll see this problem amplified. This is also the reason stress tends to cause weight gain in non-Ds - cortisol will result in a non-D producing extra insulin to compensate, and insulin promotes fat storage.
Secondly, stress also tends to encourage your liver to release glucose - stress tends to require energy for fight or flight, so your body is designed to ensure you have that energy readily available.
So in other words, infection stress makes your insulin less effective AND causes more glucose to enter your blood anyway.
Adding to this is the fact most people are less physically active when they're ill, which has the effect of meaning that extra glucose doesn't have anywhere to go.
When you're infected, your body undergoes stress which causes two major reactions.
Firstly, your body produces a lot of cortisol, a stress hormone. Cortisol blocks your insulin from working as well as it should so if you have either insulin resistance or low insulin production, you'll see this problem amplified. This is also the reason stress tends to cause weight gain in non-Ds - cortisol will result in a non-D producing extra insulin to compensate, and insulin promotes fat storage.
Secondly, stress also tends to encourage your liver to release glucose - stress tends to require energy for fight or flight, so your body is designed to ensure you have that energy readily available.
So in other words, infection stress makes your insulin less effective AND causes more glucose to enter your blood anyway.
Adding to this is the fact most people are less physically active when they're ill, which has the effect of meaning that extra glucose doesn't have anywhere to go.
Copepod
Much missed Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Yes, infection does cause blood sugars to be higher than they would be otherwise. If you are no taking insulin, then there's not much you can do to reduce blood glucose levels. Keeping hydrated, by drinking non sugary drinks is important. Unless taking insulin, then not eating much for a few hours or couple of days doesn't matter too much. If taking tablets, then check the patient information leaflet in the pack for advice about what to do if unwell - or ask GP / pharmacist / NHS telephone advice service etc for advice, by phone / email / face to face.
If infection is caused by bacteria, then antibiotics to fight infection will help to bring blood sugar levels nearer normal. If it's caused by a virus eg a cold, then antibiotics won't help. For some infections, eg flu or shingles, there are specific anti-viral medications that can help, but only if you start them early enough, so you need to make contact with someone who can diagnose and prescribe as early as possible, if you suspect that's what you havee.
If infection is caused by bacteria, then antibiotics to fight infection will help to bring blood sugar levels nearer normal. If it's caused by a virus eg a cold, then antibiotics won't help. For some infections, eg flu or shingles, there are specific anti-viral medications that can help, but only if you start them early enough, so you need to make contact with someone who can diagnose and prescribe as early as possible, if you suspect that's what you havee.
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