Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires round the clock care and management. A person with Diabetes needs to understand his or her condition and discuss with the doctor on how best he can manage his or her condition. As much as self-awareness is important in Diabetes, awareness and educating family, colleagues and peer groups is equally important.Different occupation brings up different challenges for a person with Diabetes. In India, a person with Diabetes is eligible for employment in any field or office job for which he or she is individually qualified, except for military service. With new advancement in healthcare, people are increasingly engaging in various professions and are participating in activities such as scuba diving, mountaineering and rock climbing. A healthy lifestyle, watchful eating and careful management can help people with Diabetes to lead an active life. Below are few tips to keep your blood sugar levels within the target range while you chase targets in your job:.For employeesKeep your co-workers informed about your Diabetes. Increased physical activity, too much medication, skipped or delayed meal/snack and alcohol consumption may occasionally cause hypoglycaemia. Discuss the symptoms of hypoglycaemia with your colleagues and educate them on how they can help you manage your condition.Carry a box of healthy snack and dextrose tablets on field work to prevent hypoglycaemia while on the move.Understand and learn well about the different kinds of health insurance that your workplace is providing to you.Most individuals require oral medications and/or insulin, administered by a syringe, insulin pen or an insulin pump. Discuss with the human resource manager (HR Manager) about your condition and ask for a space in the office where you can take your insulin shots comfortably.It is important to carry medications, insulin pens and glucometer in a separate kit bag every day to the workplace. Also, schedule reminders on phone or email to make sure that you take meals and medications on time.Self-monitoring of blood sugar levels with a glucometer enables a person to adjust the timing of medications and insulin to match different activity levels and the type of food consumed. Check your blood sugar levels regularly in the workplace.Some jobs may not give you the privacy and time to test frequently, hence another option available is continuous glucose monitoring. The continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMs) is a small patch worn under the skin which measures blood sugar levels throughout the day. The system comes with a small sensor placed under the skin with an adhesive patch.Physical activity plays an important role in Diabetes management. If it's more of a desk job, get up during the day and walk around intermittently. Use stairs instead of the lift.Bringing food from home with easy options of lunch and snacks can be healthy and prevents ordering of junk food. People who work in shifts should consult with a dietician and a doctor to develop a management plan that would meet their individual needs.Practice good foot care regime at home. Wash and check the feet every day for any cuts or injuries. Also, ensure to always wear comfortable shoes and socks..For employersPeople at the workplace should be educated on Diabetes to promote a supportive working environment. Seek assistance from a health care provider and have a brief session on helping people to manage different health conditions at the workplace.Generally, people with Diabetes can recognise symptoms of hypoglycaemia early and treat on their own but sometimes they may require assistance. With proper Diabetes management, hypoglycaemia can be prevented. Create a care plan to assist people with Diabetes to tackle hypoglycaemia in the workplace.Make people in the workplace aware of symptoms of hypoglycaemia such as sweating, blurred vision, dizziness, trembling, palpitation, confusion or disorientation.Keep a survival kit at handy to treat hypoglycaemia. If left untreated, the individual can become unconscious or have seizures. The kit should contain dextrose tablets and snacks such as nuts and glucose biscuits.Keep a glucometer at handy to check blood sugar levels if a person is experiencing hypoglycaemia. If a glucometer is not available, the symptoms should be treated anyway. Quickly mix 15 g (3 teaspoons) of glucose in the form of table sugar in water or give 175 ml (3/4 cup) of juice or regular soft drink to the person to consume immediately.Provide a comfortable space for employees with Diabetes to check their blood sugar levels and administer their insulin doses.Sometimes, stress at a job or irregular sleep may affect a person with Diabetes and they may feel temporarily sick. Create a retiring room within the office premises for people to rest for some time and get back to their work afresh.To concludeHaving diagnosed with Diabetes can be a life-changing event but with little modifications, guidance and support from the surroundings, one can very easily adapt to his or her new life and can live stress-free with Diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires round the clock care and management. A person with Diabetes needs to understand his or her condition and discuss with the doctor on how best he can manage his or her condition. As much as self-awareness is important in Diabetes, awareness and educating family, colleagues and peer groups is equally important.Different occupation brings up different challenges for a person with Diabetes. In India, a person with Diabetes is eligible for employment in any field or office job for which he or she is individually qualified, except for military service. With new advancement in healthcare, people are increasingly engaging in various professions and are participating in activities such as scuba diving, mountaineering and rock climbing. A healthy lifestyle, watchful eating and careful management can help people with Diabetes to lead an active life. Below are few tips to keep your blood sugar levels within the target range while you chase targets in your job:.For employeesKeep your co-workers informed about your Diabetes. Increased physical activity, too much medication, skipped or delayed meal/snack and alcohol consumption may occasionally cause hypoglycaemia. Discuss the symptoms of hypoglycaemia with your colleagues and educate them on how they can help you manage your condition.Carry a box of healthy snack and dextrose tablets on field work to prevent hypoglycaemia while on the move.Understand and learn well about the different kinds of health insurance that your workplace is providing to you.Most individuals require oral medications and/or insulin, administered by a syringe, insulin pen or an insulin pump. Discuss with the human resource manager (HR Manager) about your condition and ask for a space in the office where you can take your insulin shots comfortably.It is important to carry medications, insulin pens and glucometer in a separate kit bag every day to the workplace. Also, schedule reminders on phone or email to make sure that you take meals and medications on time.Self-monitoring of blood sugar levels with a glucometer enables a person to adjust the timing of medications and insulin to match different activity levels and the type of food consumed. Check your blood sugar levels regularly in the workplace.Some jobs may not give you the privacy and time to test frequently, hence another option available is continuous glucose monitoring. The continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMs) is a small patch worn under the skin which measures blood sugar levels throughout the day. The system comes with a small sensor placed under the skin with an adhesive patch.Physical activity plays an important role in Diabetes management. If it's more of a desk job, get up during the day and walk around intermittently. Use stairs instead of the lift.Bringing food from home with easy options of lunch and snacks can be healthy and prevents ordering of junk food. People who work in shifts should consult with a dietician and a doctor to develop a management plan that would meet their individual needs.Practice good foot care regime at home. Wash and check the feet every day for any cuts or injuries. Also, ensure to always wear comfortable shoes and socks..For employersPeople at the workplace should be educated on Diabetes to promote a supportive working environment. Seek assistance from a health care provider and have a brief session on helping people to manage different health conditions at the workplace.Generally, people with Diabetes can recognise symptoms of hypoglycaemia early and treat on their own but sometimes they may require assistance. With proper Diabetes management, hypoglycaemia can be prevented. Create a care plan to assist people with Diabetes to tackle hypoglycaemia in the workplace.Make people in the workplace aware of symptoms of hypoglycaemia such as sweating, blurred vision, dizziness, trembling, palpitation, confusion or disorientation.Keep a survival kit at handy to treat hypoglycaemia. If left untreated, the individual can become unconscious or have seizures. The kit should contain dextrose tablets and snacks such as nuts and glucose biscuits.Keep a glucometer at handy to check blood sugar levels if a person is experiencing hypoglycaemia. If a glucometer is not available, the symptoms should be treated anyway. Quickly mix 15 g (3 teaspoons) of glucose in the form of table sugar in water or give 175 ml (3/4 cup) of juice or regular soft drink to the person to consume immediately.Provide a comfortable space for employees with Diabetes to check their blood sugar levels and administer their insulin doses.Sometimes, stress at a job or irregular sleep may affect a person with Diabetes and they may feel temporarily sick. Create a retiring room within the office premises for people to rest for some time and get back to their work afresh.To concludeHaving diagnosed with Diabetes can be a life-changing event but with little modifications, guidance and support from the surroundings, one can very easily adapt to his or her new life and can live stress-free with Diabetes.
