DID THE WEATHER MAKE YOU FALL SICK?

Last week was hell for me, 2 of my kids fell ill and after spending 3 sleepless nights nursing them I broke down myself.

I had malaria. That is very rare for me. I think I have a genetic mutation that protects me from malaria. I suffer from it like once in 5-7 years. lol.

And then I imagined that someone reading this may also have suffered too because of the weather. Studies have shown that increase in atmospheric temperature increases the incidence of malaria. 

Like you know already, when you are ill, your blood sugar shoots up, even if you don’t eat anything.

Now this phenomenon happens to everybody. Only that in metabolic syndrome or in insulin sensitive people, insulin levels spike to cover that increase so when blood sugar is checked it may not be in the diabetes range.

But if your insulin no longer works well, then of course, you may find yourself getting out of range blood sugar readings, even up to emergency room levels. Apart from your blood sugar, inflammation is also at its peak and may worsen artherosclerotic plaques(blood vessel blockage which causes strokes and heart attacks).

Illness is a very common cause of  dangerous spikes in blood sugar.

When you typically fall ill, your appetite for real food goes away and to bring on your energy, there is a tendency to reach out for sweet drinks like Lucozade, Sprite, Chocolate beverages, Ribena, fruit juice etc. THIS IS A BIG NO-NO FOR YOU. IT CAN KILL YOU. It leads to a condition known as Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

So what should you do if you go under the weather.

1. AVOID ILLNESS;

As much as it is your power. Metabolic syndrome and Diabetes weakens the immune system. Pay premium attention to hygiene. Clean your windows and nets often, Use mosquito nets, treat ill kids quickly so that they don’t infect you, protect your feet, wash fruits and vegetables well, choose where you buy your food etc.

2. RUN TO YOUR DOCTOR/HOSPITAL WHEN SICK

Literally, as in every other (boss-pleasing/money-making) appointment should wait. You should have a folder in a trusted hospital that is accessible to you. Please do not self-medicate (including going to chemist). Insist also that your doctor properly examines you and not just exchanges pleasantries or stare at the computer screen or your folder.

Bills notwithstanding.

 3. CHECK YOUR BLOOD SUGAR OFTEN.

Ask your doctor if you may need to increase your drugs or dosage to cover the spikes. Don’t do this on your own except you have really MASTERED your control.

 4.REST.

I sure can tell you that taking permission to go and just sleep healed my body. Sleep is so vital for a healthy immune system. There is no substitute for this.

 5.   DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS.

This could be in the form of warm water, chicken soup (simply boil chicken with your favourite spices and drink the water aka broth/stock),lemon grass tea,  green tea (a good reason to love green tea, drink it even if you don’t like it, it is an acquired taste, trust me), Amla powder drink etc.

Anything warm and sugar free. 

When your appetite returns, give yourself a treat of salads to replenish your antioxidant levels. The more colourful the better. 

I deseed tatashe(red bell pepper) and sliced it on sardine fish and 1 slice of toast and a large cup of Amla powder/lemon grass tea for breakfast. Very yummy, mildly spicy to help me handle the strong smell of sardine and soothing. Good food is good O!

STAY WELL THIS SEASON AND SHARE THIS POST.