Corona Virus and Diabetes Management

You’ve heard on lots of media forums the association between Diabetes and the severity of coronavirus infection. A lot has been said about this subject and there’s certainly some panic among people living with DM.

While there’s some truth in this, it’s important to note that, it’s mainly uncontrolled diabetes that lowers the immunity of the victim. This happens because with prolonged periods of hyperglycaemia, the white blood cells that produce immunoglobulins get damaged by the excess glucose and fail to multiply adequately to make the immune elements. This happens with every other chronic disease, not just DM.

And that’s the reason wounds take longer to heal, ringworms spread fast, oral thrash, etc.
If you’ve had periods of uncontrolled hypers you have noticed that even a simple common cold takes longer to subside than when your blood glucose is well controlled.

What’s my point?
My point is that Covid-19 is not any different from other flu viral infections, except that it’s spreading faster and has a high infection rate. Once it gets into your body, it just affects you like other respiratory viral infections- RSV, Rhinovirus, Influenza virus, etc. They all produce toxins that challenge your immune system, for a while, then heals on its own.
My other point is that you have to ensure that your body is very well prepared to fight this nuisance- personal hygiene, avoiding crowded places, having your blood sugar well controlled and your general health taken maximum care of.
Do not ignore any slight symptom you feel.
Stop self management.
Avoid taking medications that are not backed by a doctor’s prescription.
Consult your regular doctor any time you feel there’s a change in your general health

Tusaidianeni Kueneza ukweli, sio uvumi wala uoga.

Courtesy: Dr. Benjamin Kanake