Marinelle Adams
Diabetes is among those chronic diseases that last a lifetime. It is associated with the level of sugar in the blood. The body works to convert food into energy. During this process, the food is broken down to get glucose or sugar. This sugar flows into the bloodstream. As this sugar level increases, it results in an increase in insulin production. This insulin then regulates the sugar level in the blood. This natural mechanism is vital for the functioning of many organs in the body. A smaller disruption can have adverse effects.
Diabetes is a severe disease that affects the sugar level in the body. It also affects the production of insulin, disrupting the whole mechanism of the body. There are two types of diabetes, i.e., Type I and Type II. The main difference between these two types is insulin production or how the patient responds to insulin. Either way, it is a dangerous disease.
People with diabetes have to take care of their bodies in a different way. Most people tend to live their life normally, but it is possible with the help of proper medications. Although people suffering from diabetes have to take regular medicines prescribed by their medical practitioners, you can find these medicines Sat site.
The effects of diabetes lead the patient to lead a more careful life. Diabetes affects them in different ways. From personal life to professional one, a diabetic patient is continuously under the radar. Here is a quick look at how diabetes affects a person at work.
Productivity
People who suffer from diabetes are not as productive at work as someone who doesn’t have diabetes. The reason doesn’t lie in their talents or ability to work hard. But it depends upon other factors and situations. For instance, people who have diabetes tend to get sick more often, especially if they miss medications. This may lead to more absentees from work. Moreover, they tend to get tired more often at work and can’t commit to longer working hours, especially without the proper medication and eating routines.
Diabetic people experience emotional and physical hardships more than normal people. During the high or low sugar episode, it is difficult for them to contain the situation. This constant struggle forbids them to work and be productive as a regular person. However, with proper care, medication, and support, a diabetic person can become productive as well. In such a case, the organization should provide flexibility to let the patient expand his wings and work in his way.
Fatigue
One of the significant symptoms of diabetes is fatigue. Since sugar level in blood is associated with energy, people who suffer from high or low sugar levels don’t have the energy rates as an average person. A diabetes person who gets tired quickly and doesn’t have enough energy is often skinny with fewer muscles, so he can’t perform several tasks involving physical labor. As a result, there is a restriction upon such patients, and the disease forbids them to sit on a specific employment criterion. Furthermore, because of the fatigue, their performance and productivity are also reduced.
Inability To Cope With Different Shifts
Certain job requirements require employees to work in different shifts. This change in shift also changes the routine and mealtime. A normal person won’t find it difficult to adjust to such change. But a diabetic person will find it difficult to manage change in shifts. Because they require a proper routine and medicines to lead a healthy life, any change in the routine can affect their health. Since their body doesn’t work in a normal way, coping up with different shifts and routines can be a constant physical and emotional struggle for them.
Medications
People with diabetes have strict medication timing and routine. No matter where they go, they need to take their medicines, especially insulin, with them. A slight carelessness can cost them their lives. Therefore, even if the person is on the job, he should keep medicines at hand all the time. Lack of medicines can affect a person’s productivity at work. There is also equipment you should always have with you. Such example are Diabetic socks. Sites such as diabeticsockclub.com can be great place to find such ones.
What can the organization do?
Although a diabetic employee may not work as effectively or efficiently as a normal employee, the organization should not discriminate on the basis of the disease. In fact, the organization should develop policies and create a work environment that will allow the person to lead an everyday life. For this purpose, the organization should not only create a friendly atmosphere but should also create opportunities that will enable the person to be as productive as possible. For instance, such employees should be given more meal breaks. Their work shifts should stay uniform. Furthermore, they should also be given the opportunity to work from home. Above all, emotional support and friendly culture are what can help the person to give his best performance.
Risk Assessment
It is the responsibility of the organization and the employer to keep a close eye on the performance of the diabetic employee. Understanding the symptoms and risks is crucial. If they feel the employee is not performing up to the mark, they should take precautions and other actions like monitoring sugar levels, insulin intake, etc. Through proper care and risk assessment, there are chances that the disease will have minimum effects on the person at work.
Diabetes may be a severe disease with several adverse effects, and it is not impossible to manage. It is upon the patient how he figures out to fight. Although there will always be some physical and emotional restrictions of the patient, through a proper routine, healthy lifestyle, and medications, there are strong chances that diabetes can have less or no effect on the person’s productivity at work.