COVID-19 may bring a new wave of diabetes: Tips to manage your blood sugar this monsoon

From timesnownews.com

A recent study suggests that a wave of diabetes among people may be triggered by COVID-19. Here is what you need to know about it

New Delhi: Diabetes is a widespread issue that affects millions of people across the world. According to a recent study published in the journal Nature Metabolism titled “Acute and long-term disruption of glycometabolic control after SARS-CoV-2 infection”, a wave of diabetes among people may be triggered by COVID-19. The study was conducted on 551 patients and cases of hyperglycaemia were witnessed. Hyperglycaemia is a condition that is marked by unhealthy high levels of blood glucose in the body. The World Health Organization published a video in the series “Science in 5” that talked about ways to tackle diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here is what the author said

Paolo Fiorina, MD, PhD from the Division of Nephrology at Boston Children's Hospital and the lead author of the study said, “These people were not diabetic before. But during admission, about 46 per cent of the patients were found to have new hyperglycemia.”

“This study is one of the first to show that COVID-19 has a direct effect on the pancreas. It indicates that the pancreas is another target of the virus affecting not only the acute phase during hospitalization but potentially also the long-term health of these patients,”, she added.

Calling for the need to develop better anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic treatments, Fiorina said, “If you keep targeting and blocking insulin, but you have a strong and chronic inflammation, it may lead to chronic damage. When you consider how many patients have been hospitalized with COVID-19, and continue to be worldwide, we may see a huge increase in the diabetic population."

Monsoon diabetes management tips

Here are some ways in which you can manage diabetes this rainy season:

1. Keep a track of our blood glucose levels to avoid unprecedented spikes. Eat immunity building foods to build a healthier and stronger body to fight infections and diseases.
2. Make sure that you wash the fruits and vegetables that you purchase thoroughly before consuming them. Do not forget to cook them well before eating them and avoid consuming them raw.
3. Maintain proper home and personal hygiene. Surrounding may end up getting damp during the monsoon season which can be a breeding ground for several harmful bacteria and viruses. To avoid this from happening, make sure that you keep your surroundings dry.
4. Heavy rain may often cause hindrance to travel, therefore, Keep sufficient stock of your diabetes essentials such as medications, insulin kit, and sugar monitoring devices so you don't end up in a difficult situation in case of an emergency. 
5. Always remember to stay hydrated. This will not only help manage diabetes but can also aid the regulation of essential bodily functions.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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