*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

What To Do When Youre Ill

Having type 1 diabetes does not mean you're likely to get ill more often than usual.

But if you do get ill, it can make your blood glucose higher or lower, so you'll have to take extra care, particularly if you're being sick, have diarrhoea or are not eating much.

Your care team will give you guidelines about how to adjust your insulin dose when you're ill. These are sometimes known as sick day rules.

Do

keep taking your insulin and adjust your dose if you need to
test glucose more often than normal
drink lots of water or sugar-free drinks to avoid dehydration
check for ketones - you can get strips from your care team to test your pee
try to eat - if you cannot eat, drink sugary or milky drinks, try ice cream, or suck on sweets
contact your care team if you're not sure what to do

Don't

do not worry about taking sugary medicine - small amounts will not matter
do not have fizzy (carbonated) drinks - if not possible, let them go flat

Flu vaccine

Get the flu vaccine every year. Everyone with type 1 diabetes can get it for free.

Check with your GP surgery when they offer the flu vaccine.

Going to hospital

If you end up in A&E for something that is not diabetes, like a broken bone, tell staff as soon as you arrive that you have type 1 diabetes.

Make sure staff know how important it is for you to have insulin and food containing carbs.

If you cannot eat because you need a test or an operation, you should be able to get a glucose drip.

If you need to stay in hospital, tell anyone who's treating you that you have diabetes - do not assume they'll know.

Check your blood glucose levels more than usual. The stress of being in hospital and moving around less might make them higher.

Find out more

Diabetes UK has information about diabetes when you're ill

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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