5 COVID-19 symptoms diabetic patients should be careful of

Diabetes and COVID-19: What you should know

 

The likelihood of severe or poor outcomes increases with pre-existing illness. Diabetes is one such bad comorbidity for COVID-19 patients.

Even though the second wave of infections fueled by the mutant virus strains has raised the risk of complications for even the healthier age groups, diabetic patients still face high risks of infection severity as well as mortality. There could also be some symptoms, complications they may be more prone to, because of their conditions.

What makes diabetes a bad comorbidity?

Poor blood glucose level compromises insulin production in the body and suppresses immunity. Diabetes can also make a person find it harder to harness nutrients, have bad blood flow and may even have prolonged recovery timelines.

As with COVID-19, diabetes can make it harder to fight off viral load, but also invite other diseases. As per doctors, diabetic patients who are not just prone to hospitalization have underlying vascular issues, which makes them more likely to suffer from issues like cardiovascular lapses, respiratory decline, chronic lung diseases.

Apart from this, there could also be some symptoms and signs of COVID-19, which diabetic patients need to be extra careful of:

Skin rashes, COVID nails and toes

In the second wave of coronavirus, more unusual symptoms such as skin rashes, inflammation and allergy symptoms are affecting people before the classic signs strike. Unlikely COVID toes, nails, hives, red spots- all signs of the SARS-COV-2 virus's impact on the skin are more likely to be experienced by those suffering from uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

People suffering from diabetes are also more vulnerable to skin manifestations and slower healing from cuts and wounds. High blood sugar can dry out your skin and increase chances of inflammation, swelling, red patches, blisters, which can all coexist with a COVID infection. Thus, diabetic patients should be extremely diligent about taking care of their skin health and watching out for these early onset signs of coronavirus.

COVID pneumonia

Pneumonia can turn into a serious risk factor and threat for COVID patients, more so for those who are battling diabetes. With high inflammation levels and uncontrolled blood sugar markers, respiratory health could be acutely compromised and result in adverse outcomes. High blood sugar levels, as per doctors, also makes it easier for the virus to thrive in the body and spread further damage. The risk exists equally for those suffering from Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes. High-level lung involvement, as seen evidently during the second wave of infections can also add to the risks.

Oxygen deprivation

A dip in oxygen saturation levels could be one of the biggest complications COVID-19 patients may face. With an inflammatory condition like diabetes, which suppresses immune functioning, multiple studies have now attested that those patients with pre-existing sugar disorders or frailty have a higher likelihood of suffering from oxygen deprivation and related symptoms, including breathlessness, shortness of breath, chest pain and pulmonary problems. Hypoxia, which is a state when oxygen levels rapidly decline without visible notice of other symptoms, is also more commonly seen in COVID-19 patients suffering from diabetes.

Black fungus infection (Mucormycosis)

A sudden threat rising in the form of black fungus infection is adding to the worries of COVID-19 patients. The mysterious fungal infection, which causes the characteristic facial deformity, swelling, headaches and irritation is right now the most troublesome for COVID patients (in recovery or those who have recovered) who suffer from diabetes and/or put on steroid therapy.

According to doctors, an inflammatory condition like diabetes suppresses the functioning of the immune system and elevates the risk of catching infections as such. High blood sugar levels also make for perfect settings for fungi to breed in, much like viruses. Added steroid risk could up the risk too, right now.

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This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Is Covishield better than Covaxin or vice versa? And other things you should know

Is Covishield better than Covaxin or vice versa? And other things you should know

The second phase of COVID-19 vaccination has kicked off to a good start. After healthcare workers, the country's senior citizens and select people over 45, with comorbidities are being prioritized to get doses of Covaxin and Covishield. The quick roll-out of Covaxin and Covishield is nothing short of ambitious for India. However, there are certain myths and adverse reactions which can scare people from getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Getting vaccinated right now is important

While both the vaccines have been deemed safe for use, and adverse reactions have been rarely observed, there are also certain possible side-effects individuals need to be aware of. Since the people being administered the vaccine right now can also have frail immunity, awareness and knowing what to expect can quash out fears.

We tell you about the possible side-effects to expect with each vaccine, and which vaccine might be more suited for someone.

Covaxin vs Covishield: Are there differences?

Broadly speaking, both Covaxin and Covishield have been developed in a similar manner. The only difference between the two is that while Covishield has passed through complete 3 stages of testing, Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech is still in the last scale of study.

Both Covaxin and Covishield (Oxford-AstraZeneca make) are homegrown, traditional vaccines developed using mechanisms that have been depended on for long. Hence, they may be termed relatively safer than other modern vaccines, and carry a lower than usual risk of side-effects. Clinical studies have also proved that Indian vaccines have good efficacy rates right now.

The two vaccines work to build up the antibody count in the body, which will alert the body to unleash protective defences whenever a future attack is suspected. Thus, any vaccine hesitancy rates and misinformation about the same need to be done away with. 

Side-effects of Covaxin

Covaxin, which has been developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech uses an inactive version of the virus. According to the factsheet specified by the company, mild, reactogenic side-effects can be expected post-injection. Some of the side-effects which have been noticed till right now include redness in the arm, pain at the injection site, low-grade temperature, malaise, headache, vomiting, weakness and fatigue.

Again, while extreme reactions haven't been noticed exponentially right now, scientists have warned that there is very less chance of developing unusual reactions, which can include difficulty breathing, throbbing pulse, erratic heartbeat, swelling, extreme rashes, unnerving fatigue and body pain.

Side-effects of Covishield

The Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine, marketed in India as Covishield was one of the first competitors in the race and largely considered a safe vaccine to use. However, recent reports from France, regarding certain side-effects made many consider it a tad bit unsafe for use, especially amongst the senior groups.

Nonetheless, the factsheet maintains that a person can develop some symptoms, on the milder side such as pain, warmth, itching, bruising, fatigue, chills, fever, nausea, muscle ache, lumps and malaise. Severe side-effects such as extremely high temperature (over 102 degrees Farhenheit), coughing, breathing difficulties, nervous problems, anaphylaxis are possible, though rare. It should be noted that the severe reactions, observed during the clinical studies were ruled out to be unrelated to the vaccine.

Who shouldn't take Covaxin?

Right now, while people aren't allowed the choice to choose the COVID vaccine, either in India or outside, certain pre-existing conditions and problems may make some people skip out on a certain vaccine dose. This is also the reason people with allergies, comorbidities have been asked to get a doctor's consult before progressing.

Nonetheless, investigative studies have observed that the Covaxin dose may be slightly unsafe for people who might be running a fever at the time of administration, are on blood-thinning medications, suffering from immune disorders, bleeding problems. Pregnant/ lactating women, ones suffering from an immune deficiency/ or on any sort of immuno drugs may be offered a choice to either delay vaccination, or get the other vaccine dose of their choice. 

Who should be careful about Covishield?

With Covishield, the one thing to be careful about includes any pre-existing allergy you may have. According to guidelines, if people have had a bad reaction, allergy or are sensitive to certain foods/ ingredients which might be present in the Covishield dose, may prefer skipping the dose, or getting a prior consult first.

Again, those on blood-thinning medications and the ones planning to conceive are also being advised to wait right now. People who may have recently had COVID-19, or might be running sick can also consider postponing their turn for vaccination by upto 3-4 weeks.

What happens if you develop an adverse, concerning side-effect?

Even though vaccine-related adverse reactions are on the rarer side, there are certain protocols set in place which can allow authorities to deal with the unpleasant side-effect in the right way, and get the medical attention it deserves.

What we must remember is that most side-effects, including the serious ones, can be treated if medical help is accessed in time. Milder side-effects usually resolve in a matter of 2-3 days and do not require much attention.

If a person does happen to develop a bad rash, swelling or allergy from the first shot, he/she will be advised to postpone getting the second vaccine dose right now.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement