What Does Lockdown Mean?

Lockdown is an emergency protocol that generally prevents people or information from leaving a particular area. Preventive lockdowns are done to deal with an unusual scenario or a weakness in the system to negate any danger. Also, to ensure the safety and security of people. Due to the rising number of cases of COVID-19 in India, on 24 March, the Prime Minister of India has taken the decision to complete a lockdown of 21 days to save India’s 1.3 billion population. COVID-19 is a pandemic now worldwide affecting major countries like China, Italy, Iran, etc. Now India is reaching the third stage of COVID-19 which has proven worse for many countries as this virus has potent effects of multiplying drastically in the third stage. 

Impact of Lockdown on Diabetes:

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that causes high blood glucose levels as the body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it does make. You make sure to control your diabetes during the lockdown period. Diabetes is a lifestyle disorder when diabetes is not kept under check. It can invite other health problems along the way and prolong recovery and healing time as well. People with diabetes should stay strictly at home as they are deemed to be in a “high-risk” category for developing the infection and showcase moderate to severe symptoms. Hence, the coronavirus scare is a threat to those suffering from diabetes.

Because of lockdown, people are unable to walk and do their regular physical activities as well which helps in regulating blood sugar levels. Lockdown is a boon to stay safe from COVID-19 but it’s a bane for managing diabetes. Staying at home, people tend to eat more and due to the shortage of food supplies, they end up eating junk at home which can increase the blood sugar levels. No work to do from outside, only work from home has challenged those who are suffering from diabetes as they are just sitting at home doing work from laptops, long hour sitting has impacted many health problems along with diabetes like blood pressure, digestion, migraine, etc. 

How to Control Diabetes in lockdown?

1. Opt for only healthy eating habits like eating more fruits and vegetables instead of refined carbohydrates. Include high fibre cereals in all three main meals like Ragi, Oats, Jowar, Barley, etc.

2. Don’t sit for a longer duration, take mini gaps and deliberately do some of the household work.

3. Walk on the rooftop for at least 30 minutes that will help to control diabetes during the lockdown period.

4. Make a morning routine of yoga and Pranayam, as of now people are staying at home so they can go to bed early and rise early and do some Sun Salutations of yoga exercise for diabetes control.

5. Include concoctions of Fenugreek, Cinnamon, Gymnema Sylvestre, Paneer Doda, etc. 

6. Include healthier snacks for munching while working at home on laptops like roasted makhana, oats, millet, flattened black chana, roasted almonds, pumpkin seeds, etc.

7. Completely avoid non-vegetarian food, including vegetarian protein sources like sprouts, chana, tofu, low-fat paneer.

8. Restrict alcohol intake to a maximum of two standard drinks per day.

9. Keeping good hydration levels in the body is also important for diabetic patients to avoid dyspepsia. They can include coconut water, buttermilk, plain lemon water, infused water with fresh fruits.

10. Have your allopathic medications timely

Join our Diabetes Management Program while you are at home.