6 Ways to Monitor Diabetes Mellitus during Covid 19

For this reason, the Chairman of PERSADIA, Jakarta, Bogor, Bekasi, Depok, Prof. Dr. dr. Mardi Santoso, DTM & H, Sp.PD-KEMD, FINASIM, FACE patients with diabetes / Diabetes Mellitus are advised to undergo independent diabetes management during the COVID-19 pandemic and must do activities and stay at home. Some of the things that patients recommend doing are as follows:

1. Prepare a doctor’s or medical team’s telephone number for regular consultations regarding the management of Diabetes Mellitus, including on medication, blood sugar monitoring, changes in food intake, physical activity, complaints and others.

2. Prepare a list of drugs and dosages (including vitamins and supplements).

3. Prepare fast-absorbing simple carbohydrates such as sugar, honey, sweet jam, candy to keep blood sugar levels down / hypoglycemic in people with diabetes who are at risk of dropping blood sugar due to difficulty eating. For example, in elderly patients, patients with indigestion or other diseases that cause reduced food intake.

4. Prepare enough strips for the glucometer (self-contained blood sugar checker), especially for patients with unstable fluctuating blood sugar levels.

5. Prepare a stock of diabetes medication tablets / insulin that are usually consumed or prescribed by doctors in sufficient quantities, at least for the next 2 weeks.

6. Use telehealth or telemedicine services for doctor consultations and remote drug purchases, so that people with diabetes do not have to leave the house. Unless the physical condition has deteriorated so much that it is necessary to see a doctor at the hospital.

Head of Corporate Communication Nutrifood, Angelique Dewi said, it is important for people to live a healthy lifestyle to avoid diabetes, while people with diabetes are expected to be more vigilant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both people without diabetes and diabetics are encouraged to continue to maintain a healthy diet, maintain body weight, exercise regularly, eat high-fiber foods, pay attention to meal portions and times, and limit GGL as recommended by the Indonesian Ministry of Health.

“In addition, to prevent the risk of being infected with COVID-19, it is advisable to maintain personal hygiene including washing hands frequently with soap and running water, doing activities at home, resting enough, and keeping a distance and wearing a mask when in public,” said Angelique .

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