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TIPS FOR PROTECTING THE IMMUNE SYSTEMS FOR PEOPLE MANAGING DIABETES DURING THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY PERIOD

If you have diabetes and are worried about diabetes management during this time of self-isolation, social distancing, and added stress, York Hospital is here to support you! Our Diabetes Care team has put together some tips, below, to help protect your immune system now and every day. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out and call (207) 351-3733 to schedule a telehealth visit with Amy C Huelle, MPH, RD, CDCES (CDE), Diabetes Care Specialist at York Hospital Endocrinology. We are honored to support you doing this difficult time.

Remember:  PROTECT IMMUNITY!   Click the tips below.

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Pay attention to portions of high added sugar foods to help keep your blood sugar in the target range of 80-180 mg/dl or as suggested here by your health care team.

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Reduce or eliminate alcoholic beverages; they may cause your blood sugar levels to go too high or too low, and can disrupt sleep

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Occupy your extra time with activities that are positive, productive and/or pleasing to you

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Take these proven steps to avoid contracting the harmful virus, and to reduce the risk of giving it to others :

  • Wash hands frequently
  • Use hand sanitizer often
  • Sanitize commonly used surfaces often
  • Sneeze and cough in your sleeve
  • Practice social distancing
  • Wear a mask when you are out in public
  • Wear disposable gloves when shopping, pumping gas, etc. ….and discard after
  • Avoid crowds and contact with the public as much as possible
  • Stay home if you are sick
  • Adhere to the guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)…and those by your diabetes care team
    Tap into financial assistance programs to help reduce your prescription drug costs…if needed (your diabetes care team can help)
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Exercise to the best of your ability. Break up sitting…rule of thumb is 3 minutes of movement for every 30 minutes sitting

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Consume fruits and vegetables daily. Fresh, canned (water/ juice packed) and frozen are all great!

Contact your primary care doctor or diabetes care team when: not feeling well; have a fever; or if your blood sugar is consistently
too high to too low.

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Try easy to prepare nutritious foods (sandwiches, omelets, oatmeal, vegetable soup) for low effort and budget friendly nutrition.

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Identify your own best ways to reduce your stress…and just do it…every day.

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  • Make time for some fun and do enjoy the foods you like.
  • Make sure to stay well-hydrated every day with water and sugar-free beverages (if caffeine makes you jittery, try to reduce)
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Utilize your family and friend connections as much as possible, as their love and support are important to your well-being.

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Navigate to your health plan’s approved telehealth platforms (telephone; computer; tablet; select smart phone apps; and select
Bluetooth®-enabled blood glucose meters, continuous glucose monitoring systems, insulin pumps) to obtain needed services*:

  1. Diabetes self-management training/education and support (furnished by diabetes care and education specialists)
  2. Medical nutrition therapy (furnished by registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition professionals)
  3. Remote patient monitoring
  4. Visits with your physician, Andrea Kershaw NP, or Amy Huelle MPH, RD, CDCES Diabetes Care Specialist (CDE_

*Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plan beneficiaries: services listed are covered when patient and provider eligibility criteria are
met. They are also available via select telehealth platforms (not requiring in-person visit) during the COVID 19 emergency period.
Amy , our diabetes care specialist is happy to assist in connecting your device to York Hospital Endocrinology via telehealth visit

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Include adequate rest, and aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Consider giving yourself quiet time for an hour before bedtime.

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Test your blood sugar regularly so you…and your diabetes care team…can make needed adjustments in your diabetes care plan.

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You are doing the best you can- and this may look different every day! There is no perfect- be kind to yourself!