New Covid variant Arcturus or XBB.1.16: Experts on tips for people with diabetes, hypertension

Covid variant Arcturus or XBB.1.16 is driving the current surge of Covid infections across.

The country and while this has left people worried, experts assure that there is no need to panic and with social distancing, masking, vaccination and other precautions, one can curb the spread. While people infected with Covid are largely reporting mild symptoms.

Those who have chronic diseases need to be careful as experts warn they are at risk of severe complications from the disease. Experts note that people with diabetes, blood pressure or other chronic diseases may have more risk of ICU admission and death as compared to others and thus it’s important for them to manage their disease well.

“Cardiovascular disease risk is increased in such patients. Diabetes mellitus causes micro and macrovascular problems, including cardiovascular disease. It has been shown that diabetic people with Covid-19 are at a greater risk of developing it. Covid-19 might cause an increase in blood pressure, so make sure to take your medicines as prescribed.

Ask your doctor if you should start monitoring your blood pressure at home or adjust your medications. If you’re unwell, you should check your blood sugar more frequently. If it remains above 250 mg/dL, see your doctor,” says Dr Aniket Mule, Consultant Internal Medicine, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road.

“Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and other metabolic problems are known as the bedrock for many other life-threatening health conditions. During the second wave of the pandemic, it was widely documented that people with diabetes and poor glycaemic control had 5 times higher rate of ICU admissions and deaths compared to those without the condition.

Therefore, it is imperative for them to focus on glycaemic control. A recent study by ICMR revealed that 60% of Indians with diabetes have poor glycaemic control, and we can imagine how challenging it has been for all stakeholders to keep the ICU admissions and fatalities as low as possible in these circumstances,” says Dr Arbinder Singal, CEO and Co-Founder, Fitterfly.

Hypertension can cause Covid complications too
Dr Singal says hypertension also affects patients in ways similar to diabetes as far as Covid risk is concerned.

“It was also revealed that in 40% of the people with diabetes, hypertension was a co-existing condition. It has also been observed that in many cases where patients had diabetes and hypertension co-existing, there was a greater occurrence of blood clotting, and the impact of Covid proved to be extremely severe in these instances. Another important thing to note is that in the case of people with severe Covid infections, steroids were administered as medicines, and they can cause a sharp spike in blood glucose,” says Dr Singal.

How people with chronic diseases can manage Covid
“Isolate the individual who has Covid or is awaiting test results within the home. You and everyone the sick person lives with or has lately lived with are now considered close contacts of a Covid patient,” says Dr Mule.

“The most important thing is to continuously monitor blood glucose and blood pressure levels. COVID can cause a spike in both. If there is a rise in blood glucose, then appropriate medication etc. should be taken in consultation with the healthcare specialist,” says Dr Singal.

What preventive measures can people take
“Do not enter the same room as the ill individual unless both of you wear a mask covering your mouth and nose. If using cotton masks, they should fit securely and have many layers; surgical masks or N95 masks provide better protection. By cracking up a window, they may keep air moving in their space. Set up a fan aiming out the window if feasible or use an air filtration device that you buy or create.

To keep virus particles out of the air, make sure the ill person coughs into their mask or cloth, or their elbow or a tissue. Tissues should be discarded after one use. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap or an alcohol rub. Soap or disinfectants can be used to clean surfaces,” adds Dr Mule.

“People with diabetes must be extremely careful about their blood sugar levels and regularly monitor them. It is a must to ensure adherence to the medication schedule alongside regular exercise, nutrition, rest, hydration etc. Good blood sugar control of HbA1c of less than 7 and fasting levels of less than 126 can be very helpful in preventing the risk of Covid infections. For achieving a good glycaemic control, lifestyle interventions using as digital therapeutics programs can help. Another important thing is to ensure adequate nutrition through a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables and meets the body’s need for micro-nutrients,” adds Dr Singal.