Diabetes is a medical disorder in which a person's body either cannot create enough insulin or cannot properly use the insulin that it does produce. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the flow of glucose, a type of sugar, into your cells to control blood sugar levels. Because glucose serves as the body's cells' primary source of energy, insulin is required. Glucose can be made by the human body or obtained from diet. Diabetes comes in three different forms: An autoimmune condition known as type 1 diabetes causes the pancreas to stop producing insulin. Diabetes type 1 cannot be stopped. Insulin is necessary for type 1 diabetics. When the pancreas stops creating enough insulin or when the body has trouble utilising the insulin that is generated, type 2 diabetes begins to develop. While some patients with type 2 diabetes may also need to take drugs, many may manage their condition with diet and exercise. When a woman is pregnant, her body stops using or making insulin as it should, which results in the development of gestational diabetes. This kind of diabetes, which affects 2%–4% of all pregnancies, typically disappears once the baby is born. The risk of type 2 diabetes in later life is still higher for mothers and their children.
What are the negative effects or complications of diabetes?
When the pancreas fails to make insulin, blood glucose levels rise. The medical term for this state is hyperglycemia. Blood glucose levels that fluctuate outside of the desired range can cause major health issues with the blood vessels and nerves, such as heart disease, stroke, renal failure, heart attack, and blindness. The body begins to use fat as fuel when it runs out of glucose. The cells create ketones as a result of that process, which are then released into the blood. Through the urine, some of these ketones will leave the body. On the other hand, having a lot of ketones in the blood might make it acidic. This is referred to as diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, in patients with diabetes. If DKA is not treated, it may result in coma or death. DKA can occur in people with type 2 diabetes but is more common in people with type 1. There can also be hypoglycemia. Too little glucose is known as hypoglycemia. It can happen when insulin removes excessive amounts of glucose from the blood as a result of increased physical activity, excessive medicine use, inadequate nutrition (or a skipped or delayed snack or meal), and the effects of alcohol use. Long-term consequences Other effects of diabetes will develop over time. The longer someone has diabetes and the less their blood sugar is under control, the higher the risk of serious problems. Among the complications are: cardiovascular disease, which includes hypertension, cholesterol problems, and other heart problems nerve injury (neuropathy) kidney injury (nephropathy) Damage to the eyes (retinopathy) and other vision issues like cataracts and glaucoma due to inadequate circulation, nerve injury can occur in the hands, feet, and legs. infections caused by blisters and wounds Skin problems, such as fungal and bacterial infections impaired hearing The conditions dementia and Alzheimer's Depression
What signs of diabetes are there?
Symptoms or warning signs that may indicate the onset of diabetes include: thirst that is unusual or excessive frequent urination fuzzy vision severe hunger illnesses that repeat or are frequent Unaccounted-for weight gain or loss fatigue or little energy Irritability Disorientation Slowly heaving wounds or sores Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet Not everyone exhibits symptoms and warning indications.
Just how is diabetes identified?
A doctor must make the diabetes diagnosis. To help with the diagnosis, a number of blood tests can be performed. Testing should be done on people who have diabetes symptoms or high risk factors. Serious problems that might arise from untreated or improperly managed diabetes can be avoided with early identification and collaboration with medical professionals.
What are the possible causes of diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes has no recognized cause. Family history, environmental variables (such as some viral infections) and the presence of immune system components called autoantibodies are also potential risk factors. Type 2 diabetes has unknown origins, but obesity is a significant risk factor (although not everyone with type 2 is overweight). Weight, inactivity, family history, race, age, polycystic ovarian syndrome, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol are risk factors.
Should diabetes be a worry at work?
Most often, diabetes has little or no impact on an employee's ability to do their job and employers may not even know the employee has diabetes. The effects of diabetes differ from person to person. Many people manage their diabetes through their diet, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight. Individuals using medications may take the medication orally, or they may self-administer insulin by syringe, pen or have an implanted insulin pump. Determine if any concerns are reasonable given the individuals expected duties, and the facts of each individual's symptoms and treatment plan. In most workplace environments, such as offices or retail spaces, an employee`s diabetes will not put themselves or others at risk. Disorientation and fainting episodes are uncommon, but may be caused by hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels). However, if an employee could become suddenly disoriented while operating, for example, heavy machinery, the risk of injury is higher. Employers must accommodate employees with diabetes (unless it can be shown to cause undue hardship to the organization). Employers and employees should work together to address concerns around diabetes respectfully. These accommodations may include time or a private place to administer any medications or to conduct blood sugar tests, the ability to keep food nearby, or a schedule of regular breaks to maintain a prescribed diet. Time off to attend medical appointments would be another example.
Can occupational factors affect diabetes?
Occupational factors associated with the development of diabetes include: Sedentary work Schedules that include shift work or inadequate time to rest between shifts Schedules that limit a person's time to participate in physical activities Difficulty taking medications or eating regularly Availability of healthy food choices
What else can workplaces do?
Be aware of the risk factors that can be controlled. Workplaces can help by: Including diabetes prevention and management information in any workplace health or wellness program. Educating management and supervisors about diabetes so that they are aware of the needs of employees with diabetes and how best to accommodate them. Asking employees with diabetes what accommodations they think would best suit them. Not all people with diabetes will need the same accommodations. Some may need a private area to test their blood sugar levels or to administer insulin injections while others may not. Changing an employees work schedule, if necessary. Employees with diabetic retinopathy, which is a vision disorder caused by diabetes, may need to use assistive technology to help them see. Employees with diabetic neuropathy, which is a nerve disorder caused by diabetes, may need to use a chair or stool while they work. Making sure first aiders are trained to recognize common acute symptoms of hypoglycaemia, and related issues so they can provide assistance. Providing employees a place to rest until their blood sugar levels become normal. Providing “sharps” disposal if insulin is administered with needles. Allowing employees to keep food and testing supplies near their workstation or break area. Allowing time for medical treatment and recuperation, as well as any educational sessions necessary to learn about their condition and how to manage it. Providing employees with breaks to eat or drink, take medication, or test blood sugar levels. Encouraging physical activity (e.g., time, equipment, walking paths, etc.). Providing healthy food choices in cafeterias, vending machines, meetings, etc. Providing access to smoking cessation programs. Addressing both organizational factors and mental health factors to help reduce stress. Providing access to employee assistance programs, support groups, etc.
What should a workplace do if a person has hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia should be treated by first aid. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include cold, clammy or sweaty skin, blurred vision, dizziness, shakiness/lack of coordination, headache, irritability or hostility, stomach ache, or nausea. If possible, check the person's blood glucose level. If a glucose meter is not available, treat the symptoms. It is better to be safe. First aid steps for a conscious individual include to: Have the individual drink or eat a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as 15 mg of glucose from a glucose tablet, 15 ml (3 teaspoons) or 3 packets of table sugar dissolved in water, 175 ml (3/4 cup) of juice or regular soft drink, 6 candies (e.g., hard candies like LifeSavers, or jellybeans), or 15 ml (1 tablespoon) of honey. Wait 10 to 15 minutes and recheck their blood glucose. If still low, treat again. Have a snack (1/2 sandwich, or cheese and crackers) if the next meal is more than 1 hour away. If the treatment does not work, or if the person becomes confused or disoriented, loses consciousness, or has a seizure, call 911 immediately for medical help.""" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/
