Question
What kind of medication should diabetic patients choose to achieve the best effect when they have a cold, especially when accompanied by fever and tonsillitis, and how should they deal with it?
Answer
For diabetic patients, they often have weakened immune systems and are prone to blood sugar spikes due to respiratory infections. When they have a cold, they must be cautious in choosing medications and should avoid using those containing “salted ephedra alkaloids.” Generally, there are no special contraindications between over-the-counter cold medications and those used to treat diabetes, so diabetic patients can take them with confidence. However, for patients whose blood sugar control is not stable, some syrupy cold medications with added sweeteners may need to be used only after consulting a doctor. Once they have a cold, diabetic patients should seek treatment immediately, as the cold can increase the sugar content in phlegm, easily leading to lung infections. Infections can further raise blood sugar levels, potentially causing complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic acidosis.