November 17, 2020 | Covid-19, Prevention of Illness and Management of Chronic Conditions
If you or someone you care about is coping with diabetes, it is more important than ever to proactively manage this condition. November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and as the pandemic continues we want to highlight some facts about the risks of COVID-19 for people living with diabetes.
How does COVID-19 affect people with diabetes? The statistics are startling:
- The risk of a COVID-19 death is three times higher for people with type 1 diabetes compared to people without diabetes
- The risk of death for people with type 2 diabetes is nearly two times higher than those without diabetes
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that the risk of complications from COVID-19 is much higher for people with preexisting conditions, including diabetes.
What You Need to Know about COVID-19 and Diabetes
If you or a loved one has diabetes, then you need to know the potential risks related to COVID-19.
- Does diabetes increase the likelihood of COVID-19? At this point, there isn’t enough data to know if people with diabetes have a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 versus the general population.
- Why is COVID-19 riskier for patients with diabetes? The biggest concern is that people with diabetes have a higher chance of developing severe complications if they do contract COVID-19. The more health conditions someone has, the greater the chance of serious, even life-threatening, complications from this virus.
- How does age play a role in the risk factors? People over the age of 65 are also at risk of serious complications. So, if you or a loved one is over 65 and has diabetes, then the risk of getting extremely sick from this virus is high.
- What are the best ways to minimize the risk of COVID-19? If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, then your risk of serious complications is lower if your diabetes is well-managed. Be proactive about working with your doctor to manage your blood sugar levels through diet, medication, exercise, and monitoring.
We all must do our part to avoid exposure and minimize the risk of passing this virus onto family, friends, and our community. Following health recommendations, including mask-wearing and social distancing, is essential – especially for high-risk populations.
At Windward Life Care, we are committed to linking you with information you can trust, and providers who are experts in their field. Talk to us to learn about your options if you are looking for ways to manage your diabetes more effectively.