Time to rejuvenate, introspect refine, connect and be optimistic than panic, be negative and depressed – Dr. (Prof). Bipin Kumar Sethi
The present COVID-19 pandemic that is weeping across countries is novel in more ways than one
Although we are all learning newer things each day there is need to circumspect and prepare ourselves to tackle the issues rather than panic
Trust and update information only from authentic health care bodies like ICMR/Health Ministry rather than social media and do what they mandate
Relevant to diabetes I have the following suggestions
For patients with diabetes:
- Stick to the routine continue be disciplined and if you were not it is the best time to make amends
- Take diet as per norm, take nutritious balanced food on time, we have enough of it now
- Do start indoor exercises
- Do not skip or hoard drugs, look and ask for substitutes rather than stop especially insulin
- Continue to or start monitoring blood glucose regularly, more so if there is any sickness and later when lock down opens get lipids, renal functions and eye check-ups done too
- Contact doctors, your own or others in case of ANY doubt
- Consider vaccinations for pneumonia, hepatitis and flu sooner or/than later
- Extend support to others irrespective of diabetes, connect with friends and family rather than spend time on TV and net surfing
- Continue to use ACE-inhibitors or ARBs (the tablets ending with or having suffix -pril/ -sartan) for blood pressure, there is no recommendation on changing from
- Buy (if you do not have one) as soon as you get the chance a glucometer and BP instrument these help you to track your response/progress
For COVID 19
- Hygiene, hygiene, hygiene
- Social distancing
- Stay away from others and see a doctor if you have in addition to fever,”flu”,shortness of breath or dry cough
Remember every sneeze/flu is NOT due to Corona and dry cough could be due to some anti-hypertensive agents (like ACE-Inhibitors (Name of the drug ending with the suffix pril) also
Be responsible and prepared but do not be scared
For physicians
- Continue to be humane
- Offer advice to the needy using any medium of communication
- Consider offering this free of charge
