Beat Covid? Control blood sugar
The effects of Covid-19 are not limited to just 15 days; if one has gone through critical, severe or moderate infection, the impact is much longer. The use of steroids during the treatment not just increases the sugar level but also lowers our immunity. If both get to extreme levels, it can lead to black fungus. So, it is particularly important to keep sugar level in control after recovering from the virus.
Dr Amitabh Malik, an ENT specialist, says, “Black fungus affects people with diabetes, cancer or those who have had an organ transplant. Common symptoms are headache, facial pain, nasal congestion, loss of vision or eye pain, swelling of the cheeks and eyes, and black crust in the nose.”
So, recovered Covid-19 patients with diabetes must be kept under observation and their sugar level should be monitored as a preventive measure against black fungus.
Dietitian Garima Goyal says, “Check your blood glucose and maintain a log. Pair your carbohydrates with a protein for diabetes management and opt for high-fibre carbs. It will slow down digestion, making you feel full for a longer time without raising blood sugar. Good sources of high fibre carbs include whole grain foods, fruits, veggies, beans and nuts. Fill up half your plate with nonstarchy, fibrous vegetables (broccoli, spinach, pumpkin, sweet potatoes), a quarter with whole grains or simple vegetables, and the rest with lean protein.”
She further advises such patients to avoid smoking, stay hydrated, manage their stress levels through exercise or relaxation methods (yoga, meditation, deep breathing) as this may help to regulate blood sugar levels.
Also, maintain hygiene if visiting places with moist soil and animal waste — construction sites, gardens and parks — as fungal spores are present here, says ENT specialist Dr Shashank Vashist.