Life on the Road – Trucking News Blog

There is a serious epidemic that is spreading across this land and it effects most everyone. Doesn’t consider job, health condition or economic background of the person affected. And this like it’s counterpart high blood pressure ( the silent killer), goes unnoticed for years at a time. It is diabetes, fact  every 20 seconds someone learns they are diabetic , also one in four people who are effected with diabetes do not know that they have it.  Here is a risk test that you can take to see if you need further follow up.. Diabetes Risk Test.

Between the lack of exercise, erratic sleep and eating schedules, and poor food choices this effects the truck driver in a big way.  So there is two schools of thought that I find with this, ether  ignore the issue until it shows up in your lab tests, or to say it will be someone else who is effected, “As I don’t have a weight problem so I don’t have to worry.”. Both of these thoughts are myths, and with knowledge of this chronic illness they can be explain with knowledge gained. As half the battle with diabetes is to control the illness, with control complications can be reduced if not eliminated. So here is a page which touches on the myths of diabetes.

Each November is Diabetes awareness month, and as one who has had this chronic illness I would like to be able to prevent others from getting it or having complications because of a lack of knowledge of the disease. As if it wasn’t for the fact that I do have diabetes now, and also am on insulin therapy I would now be out with my husband teaming. So this brings to light the next question truckers ask when facing this illness. Can I drive a semi with diabetes, and what happens if they place me on insulin? We all know or I do hope we do of the regulations of the FMCSA has when it comes to your health. But there is a gray area I have seen and that is what are the regulations are when it comes to insulin. So here is another link (I know lots of information ) that explains it easily on the grandfather waiver for insulin.

Bottom line, diabetes isn’t a death sentence, it can be controlled, and with proper care you can even go to the point of being only diet controlled. So I highly recommend that you keep tabs of your health, know the facts of diabetes and what you can do to prevent it. There is so many myths, and misinformation on this illness. So most all of the information I have posted comes from the American Diabetes Association, this is a non profit cause that I have supported for years now. Go there and learn more about this chronic illness, as knowledge is half the battle, correct information is the best way to handle this chronic illness.

Resources:

American Diabetic Association