No matter what happens, we all have to earn our daily bread. Even if you are diagnosed with some or the other disease, you need to keep on working. So, it's better to know the techniques of managing the disease when you are working. Many people continue to work after being diagnosed with diabetes. Support from employers in being flexible about working hours and the access to work scheme in providing equipment helped several people to continue working.
Sometimes the type of work people did make it hard for them to keep working, especially if their job is physically demanding. People who are affected by neuropathy (nerve damage) in their feet found it difficult to continue doing jobs which required walking long distances or standing for long periods of time. One man, who was a paramedic, said he took early retirement when he started taking insulin because he didn't want to be driving at high speed. A hairdresser found it hard to find time to eat properly and after developing neuropathy could no longer stand on her feet all day. Eating at the right time takes extra care and planning when working in a physically demanding job. However, desk-based jobs can also cause problems for people with diabetes. Some people whose eyes were affected said that they found reading difficult, particularly reading from a computer screen. One man said he had become more sensitive to fluorescent lights at work and he felt it created tensions amongst his colleagues that he needed to have the lights turned off. Some people felt there were times when they were less productive at work, either because of a rise in blood glucose levels or general fatigue.
A few people were concerned that they might have difficulty getting another job if they needed to. Although many people with diabetes would not consider themselves disabled, diabetes is listed in the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) which protects people with disabilities from being treated differently to other employees.
You may need to tell DVLA(Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency) about your diabetes, depending on how it's treated and the licence you have. If you drive a car or motorbike and your diabetes is treated by diet or tablets, you don't have to do anything. If you have a bus, coach or lorry licence you must fill in form 'DIAB1V' and send it to DVLA. If your diabetes is treated with insulin, all drivers by law must inform the DVLA.
Here are some tips that you can follow to manage your diabetes while you are at work.
Monitor your blood sugar at work. Try monitoring your blood sugar levels while you are working. You can test your blood sugar in private and in this way you can keep a track of your blood sugar level.
Make time for breakfast. When you work hard, it can be tempting to just have a cup of tea or coffee, and then get busy and not eat lunch. Instead eat a good breakfast and you won't be tempted to eat too much later. It's much healthier to have heavy meals earlier in the day and then eat light later on.
Get moving. Assuming you spend most of the day sitting at desk, make it a point to get up and move around every hour or so. This will help not only to burn calories, but your body will be more sensitive to insulin. Wearing a pedometer will help you keep track of how many steps you take and may even inspire you to take more steps!
Bring your lunch rather than buy it. In this way you will have more control over what you eat. You can prepare a large salad with protein but no white starches, along with some fruits.
Keep snacks that can treat an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) at your desk. It's good to have healthy snacks on hand that won't spoil, such as protein bars, for when you get hungry.
If you take insulin, consider having two sets of supplies – one at home and one in the office. This way, you won't be rushing around having to pack everything at the last second in the morning, or worse, forget to bring anything.
Carrying a diabetes kit with you at all times (especially at work) is essential to your health. So, remember to carry one with you always.
Alert a trusted colleague. Let someone in your office know that you have diabetes and explain to him or her how to manage it.
Diabetes is a kind of disease that can affect anyone and everyone. The main point is how efficiently you tackle it. For those who are working, try to follow these simple tips and you don't need to worry about handling the disease anymore. In this way you can stay as much fit as any other normal person.
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