Is Covid triggering diabetes in recovering sufferers? | Ahmedabad Information

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While doctors have said diabetes increases the risk of complications including death in patients with Covid-19, they are now finding that an increasing number of patients discharged from Covid-19 wards have elevated blood sugar levels. In most cases, they may need medication with tablets or even insulin, at least for a short time.
Why diabetes?
As research continues into what causes diabetes after recovery from the viral infection, senior diabetologist Dr. RM Anjana from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation for three different reasons.
It is possible that many of these patients had diabetes before they had Covid, but they did not know. To rule out this possibility, doctors require an HbA1c (hemoglobin A1C) test, in addition to randomly checking the sugar level in patients who are admitted to the Covid treatment. The HbA1c test shows the average blood sugar level over a period of three months.
“If the HbA1C value is above 6.5%, it indicates that the person already has diabetes. It just happened to be diagnosed for Covid upon admission, “she said.
Some patients with moderate or severe Covid are given steroids such as dexamethasone, which can also increase blood sugar levels. This can trigger diabetes in patients who are in the pre-diabetic stage.
“In addition, many Indians also have a genetic predisposition that puts them at risk of diabetes. Markers of inflammation that increase during Covid speed up the process. There is also a possibility that the virus could affect the pancreas directly and reduce insulin secretion, ”she said.
Care after Covid recovery
If you lost a lot of weight while on treatment for Covid-19, your goal should be to regain muscle strength. If you haven’t lost weight and are above the recommended BMI (over 25), work on bringing it down. Exercises like walking can help maintain insulin sensitivity and slow the progression to diabetes. However, it is better to avoid strenuous exercise for a few months after recovering from Covid. The motto should be slow and steady.
Watch what you eat
Senior Nutritionist Thangamani Suresh from Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Center in Chennai recommends a balanced homemade meal with nuts, vegetable and legume salads, freshly made quark, and plenty of water. “It is better to consult a nutritionist for a personalized diet table. A diet table for a person with high blood pressure or kidney disease is different from a person with just diabetes, ”she said. In general, it is important for people with diabetes to avoid sugary drinks, sweets, chocolate, and starchy foods.
Other complications
Some patients may have Covid-19 symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, headaches and body aches for up to 28 days. These symptoms can vary from patient to patient depending on the immune system. Such patients may require frequent glucose monitoring during their isolation period.
After recovery, there is an increased risk of a severe fungal infection called mucormycosis (black fungus), especially in people with uncontrolled diabetes. Good blood sugar control can help prevent this complication.
Don’t ignore these signs
Most hospitals recommend a sugar test one month after discharge and a repeat test between 3-6 months. They also ask patients to report to hospitals if they experience frequent urination, thirst and blurred vision, acute weight loss, slow wound healing, and fatigue. Most doctors ask patients to see their doctor a month after recovery to check for complications from the Covid infection.
Why you should seek help
Uncontrolled high blood sugar can affect the eyes, kidneys, and heart, cause loss of sensation in the feet, which leads to foot ulcers, and increases the risk of death.
“But with tight blood sugar controls, many people with diabetes could stay healthy for decades,” said Dr. Anjana.