November means so many things. It’s the start of the holiday season. It’s also the start of respiratory illness season. And, it’s American Diabetes Month.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that makes it hard to absorb sugar into your blood. Diabetes also impacts your immunity. So, it’s doubly important to keep up your diabetes management during respiratory illness season.

What is diabetes?

Three main types of diabetes exist:

• Type 1 (juvenile).
• Type 2.
• Gestational.

Type 1 generally occurs in children when the pancreas no longer creates the hormone insulin. Type 2 occurs over time when too much sugar is in the blood stream and the body no longer uses insulin properly. This stresses and weakens the body, especially the immune system. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and often goes away after the baby is born.

How can I protect myself if I have diabetes?

Diabetes causes additional stress on the body. It decreases the ability to ward off infection and can make it take longer to heal from wounds. During the colder months, when respiratory illnesses occur more often, it’s important to try to stay healthy.

Take these steps to help protect yourself during respiratory illness season:

• Get the recommended vaccinations! Each age group has specific recommendations so check with your doctor. Everyone 6 months and older should get updated flu and COVID-19 vaccine.
• Continue to take prescribed medications.
• Keep blood sugar levels within your target range.
• Eat plenty of whole fruits and fresh veggies. Eat a variety of foods to get the benefits of the various vitamins and minerals.
• Keep moving! Colder weather is no reason to stop movement. Moving uses blood sugar and can help lower your levels.
• Make sleep a priority. A rested body is better at regulating blood sugar and fighting illness.
• Wash your hands. Frequent hand washing helps keep germs at bay.
• Make stress management a regular part of your routine. Find things that relax you, like spending time with friends or learning yoga or meditation. Balance times of fun with mindfulness practices.
• Wearing a mask in crowded public settings can provide extra protection and peace of mind.

By continuing to be vigilant about keeping blood sugar levels in a healthy range and by getting vaccinated, you will go a long way toward staying healthy this season!

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