Managing diabetes during crises like earthquakes or hurricanes can be difficult, so how can a patient manage diabetes during this time?

Natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and other emergencies can occur at any time, and they can cause widespread and long-lasting impacts on health goods, services, and systems. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergencies can cause stress.

The American Centers for Diabetes provides the following advice:

First of all. Place your medical information in an airtight plastic bag, including:

• Copies of any prescriptions, including eye health prescriptions.
• Current dosages and times you take the medication.
• Insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio, insulin sensitivity factor, and target blood sugar
• Pharmacy, doctor’s name, address and telephone number.
• The brand, model, and serial number of your insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor.
• A copy of your photo ID and health insurance card.

Secondly. Prepare enough diabetes supplies to last at least one to two weeks, including:

• Insulin and syringes.
• Blood sugar measuring device.
• Extra batteries for your blood glucose meter and insulin pump.
• Lancing devices and scalpels.
• Insulin pump supplies, including additional pump sets and insertion devices.
• A glucagon set is an injection given to treat severe hypoglycemia.
• Ketone strips.
• Alcohol wipes.
• Glucose tablets or 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates (such as juice, hard candy, or honey) can reduce hypoglycemia.
• Oral diabetes medication.
• An empty plastic bottle or sharps container to keep syringes, needles and scalpels safe.

Make sure you store your products properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and check the expiration dates on your supplies every few months. Replace anything that expires with new items.

Third. Take care of your mental health

Disasters and emergencies can affect your health. Take care of your mental health in times of emergency and you can help yourself and your family. If you can, reach out to family, friends and your community to look out for each other.

Children have strong emotions during and after an emergency. Learn how you can help children cope with these situations.

Fourthly. Find accommodation that meets your needs

If you need to go to a shelter during an emergency, find one that can meet your medical needs. When you arrive at the shelter, tell the person in charge about your diabetes and any other conditions, and stock up on medications such as medical aid and insulin.

Pay attention to the following events:

Among its main symptoms are:

• Trembling
• Hungry
• Fatigue.
• Dizziness or vertigo;
• Confusion or agitation.
• Rapid heartbeat
• headache
• Inability to see or speak clearly.

Management of hypoglycemia

• Check your glucose. If it’s less than 70 mg/dL, eat 15-20 grams of carbohydrates (such as 4 ounces or ½ cup of fruit juice, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 3-4 glucose tablets).
• Check your glucose again after 15 minutes
• Repeat until your glucose returns to normal
• Severe hypoglycemia (54 mg/dL) requires assistance from another person. Seizures often cannot be treated with oral carbohydrates and may require access to glucagon.

Increase blood sugar levels

Among its main symptoms are:

• Frequent urination
• Skin dryness
• Dizzy
• Nausea
• blurred vision

Managing high blood sugar

• Check your blood sugar every 2-4 hours.
• Continue to take your diabetes medications as prescribed.
• Drink plenty of sugar-free fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Eat your regular meals (if possible) to prevent hypoglycemia.
• If you have type 1 diabetes and/or blood sugar levels above 250 mg/dL, check your urine for ketones.