| When you go to work, your diabetes goes with | | | | affect them.9. Watch out for stress- Stress can |
| you.You get up, get showered, get breakfast, get to | | | | wreak havoc on your blood sugars. Stress can cause |
| work. You have bills, therefore you have a job.But you | | | | either high or low blood sugar. It differs from person to |
| also have diabetes. You have to care for your | | | | person, and sometimes from situation to situation in the |
| diabetes while you're at work. Here are 10 tips for | | | | same person. Stress may mask symptoms of low |
| merging your diabetes care with your career.1. Wear | | | | blood sugar, or prompt completely different symptoms. |
| medical identification jewelry- If you ever need medical | | | | Frequent monitoring is |
| assistance at work, the emergency medical personnel | | | | your best defense.10. Keep good diabetes control- |
| will know you have diabetes.2. Decide who to tell- All | | | | The best thing you can do to remain productive is to |
| things being equal, it might be in your best interest to let | | | | stay healthy. Don't let your diabetes get so far out of |
| a few trusted co-workers or your boss know. Just for | | | | control that you're not able to work. If you're eating |
| your own safety.3. Give your co-workers a chance- | | | | well, exercising, and controlling your blood sugars, you |
| Don't just assume that your boss won't accommodate | | | | will have a productive work life.The payoff from a job |
| you, or that your co-workers won't be helpful. Give | | | | well done is that if and when you need to take time |
| them a chance to grasp what diabetes is and | | | | off for your diabetes care, your boss and co-workers |
| understand how they can help you, particularly if | | | | will remember your good track record and be that |
| you've been diagnosed since starting your current job. | | | | much more willing to cover for you or help you with |
| Diabetes may be as new to them as it is to you.4. Get | | | | scheduling. By communicating with your employer and |
| it in writing- If necessary, get a doctor's note. It may | | | | taking responsibility for your care, you can incorporate |
| help to get a medical statement from your doctor | | | | your diabetes care into your work life successfully.If |
| saying what your diabetes care needs are. Present it | | | | you feel that your employer is not making reasonable |
| to your company nurse or human resources | | | | accommodations to allow you to care for your |
| department, and make sure your supervisor gets a | | | | diabetes at work, contact the Equal Employment |
| copy.5. Be your own advocate- Your local hospital or | | | | Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at: (800) 669-4000 or |
| diabetes center may offer programs through which | | | | (800) 669-6820 TTY.Ask your doctor about diabetes |
| diabetes educators can come to your workplace and | | | | and have your blood sugar checked several times a |
| explain to your human resources department, | | | | year.For more information about diabetes, including a |
| supervisors, or co-workers what diabetes is and how | | | | Diabetes Quiz and a Free booklet, visit the |
| they can make the workplace more diabetes-friendly. | | | | Hope4Diabetes website at: 20 page FREE booklet will |
| See if your employer is willing to host such a | | | | provide you with in-depth information on |
| program.6. Don't abuse the system- Unfortunately, | | | | comprehensive diabetes care. The 7 principles, or |
| there are people who claim extensive health | | | | steps, will help you to understand, manage and |
| challenges and reap disability benefits their situation | | | | diagnose your potential diabetes risk.It could help you |
| may not warrant. That makes it harder for everyone. | | | | live a longer and more active life. The booklet is Yours |
| It's best to save sick days and disability pay for when | | | | absolutely FREE - No Risk! Share it NOW with the |
| you really need them.7. Plan ahead- The biggest | | | | people you love and want to Keep alive!David |
| challenge many people with diabetes face is access | | | | Anderson is a freelance health writer for |
| to meals and breaks. Have snacks readily available | | | | Awareness is the first step to preventing the onset of |
| should you need to treat a low.8. Take your equipment | | | | diabetes. |
| with you- Keep your blood glucose meter and supplies | | | | Visit our website at: for more |
| where you can reach them. Don't leave blood glucose | | | | information and a free book. |
| meters or insulin in the car. Extreme temperatures can | | | | |