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Taking Care of Your Diabetes When You Are at School or Work

IMAGE Like most people, you are busy—trying to accomplish a lot in a small amount of time. But when you have type 1 diabetes, you have to keep track of your blood glucose levels, give yourself medication, eat right, and exercise. These steps are essential to your health, and skipping any one of them can negatively impact your diabetes. When your days are filled with school or work, how can you put your health first and live your life?

Being at School

You have five classes, gym, and after-school activities, but you also have diabetes. What’s the best approach to manage all of this? Have a diabetes management plan in place and share this with the school staff—nurses, teachers, coaches, guidance counselor, cafeteria manager, and even bus drivers. The more people who know about your condition, the more support you will get.
Your parents can schedule a meeting at the school to go over your plan. This is important because everyone who works with you should understand the basics of diabetes and be familiar with complications that you can have. Also, you need the flexibility to test your blood sugar, give yourself an insulin injection, and have a snack or drink to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You may also need a schedule where you have lunch at the same time every day.
These steps can help you to get through your school day:
  • Try to stick to your regular schedule of eating, testing glucose, giving yourself an injection, and being active.
  • Do you have an especially busy day ahead? Any change to your schedule can affect diabetes. Have a kit on hand to treat hypoglycemia. This kit can include items like glucose tablets, fruit juice, soft drinks (with sugar), hard candy, or sugar packets. Ask your doctor how much you should take. For example, 3-4 glucose tablets may be what you need to adjust the levels. If you have an exam coming up or a strenuous gym class, remember to check your glucose right before.
  • Prepare for the school day. Pack all of the supplies that you’ll need—testing strips, medications, and kit to treat hypoglycemia. Bring a healthful lunch that includes snacks and drinks. Wear or carry identification that says you have diabetes. There are a lot more options than having to wear the stainless steel medic alert bracelet. Online, you can find jewelry in all kinds of styles that alert people to your condition.
  • If your schedule has changed a lot, like participating more in sports, talk to your doctor. You may need a new diabetes management plan. In general, it is a good idea to exercise after lunch. Or, have a snack before being active.
  • Find out what you should do if you have a substitute teacher or if the nurse is not in school. Keep a copy of your diabetes management plan at the school (eg, in your locker) in case you need to show it to the staff.
  • If you are bullied at school because you have diabetes, tell an adult right away. Talk to someone you trust, whether it is a parent, teacher, or guidance counselor. It is their job to keep you safe, and you have the right to feel comfortable in your school.
  • Talk to your friends. Chances are they will be understanding your condition and will offer support.
  • Ask your doctor what the warning signs are for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Know when you need to CALL 911.

Being at Work

If you have diabetes, laws in the United States, such as the Americans With Disabilities Act, stop employers from firing, refusing to hire, or refusing to promote you because of your disability. The laws also mean that your employer must make accommodations for you. These can involve giving you extra time to test your blood glucose level, give yourself an injection or medication, and eat snacks and lunch. If you have problems related to diabetes, like poor vision or foot pain, your employer must also accommodate you. For example, if your job usually requires that you stand up for long periods, you may be allowed to do your work sitting down.
Following these strategies can help you manage your diabetes while climbing the corporate ladder:
  • Share your diabetes management plan with your boss, coworkers, and nurse or medical team (if your company has one). It is important that they know what to do if you have a complication. In your desk and car, keep items like glucose tablets, hard candy, sugar packets, fruit juice, and soft drinks (with sugar) to treat hypoglycemia. Ask your doctor how much you should take to bring the glucose levels back up.
  • If your work schedule changes, talk to your doctor. She may need to revise your diabetes management plan.
  • Prepare for your work day by packing everything that you’ll need—diabetes supplies (eg, testing strips, syringes, needles) and medicine. In addition to carrying a diabetes identification card in your wallet, remember to wear your medic alert bracelet. If you feel uncomfortable wearing it, look online to find ID bracelets, necklaces, and charms in many styles.
  • Take the time to prepare a healthful lunch that includes fresh fruits and veggies. For busy days, have on hand canned soup, tuna, fruit juice, and vegetable juice (like V8). Going out to lunch? Read the menu first; many restaurants post their menus online. Once there, make good choices, like ordering a broth-based soup or salad, skipping the rolls and butter, eating smaller portions, and splitting dessert. In general, try to eat lunch at the same time every day.
  • Exercise can help your body use insulin better. Take a half hour to walk or workout in the gym. To avoid hypoglycemia, exercise after eating lunch or have a snack before the activity.
  • If you have an especially demanding task, test your blood sugar right before.
  • Be sure you know what symptoms should trigger you to call the doctor right away.
Whether you are preparing for an exam or trying to meet a deadline at work, you still need to monitor your diabetes. This all comes down to being prepared and having good communication with your doctor.

RESOURCES

American Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.org/

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.ca/

Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/diabetes-diabete/index-eng.php/

References

Diabetes center. Kidshealth.org website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/managing%5Fdiabetes/living/school%5Fdiabetes.html. Accessed September 25, 2012.

Managing diabetes at work. University of Tennesee Medical Center website. Available at: http://www.utmedicalcenter.org/news/Managing+Diabetes+at+Work/1972.html. Accessed September 25, 2012.

Physical activity and diabetes. Canadian Diabetes Assocation website. Available at: http://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/living/management/activity/. Accessed September 25, 2012.

Take charge of your diabetes: Keeping track of your blood glucose. Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/DIABETES/pubs/tcyd/ktrack.htm. Updated May 21, 2011. Accessed September 25, 2012.

Taking care of your diabetes at special times. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/specialtimes.htm. Accessed September 25, 2012.

Type 1 diabetes. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/. Updated June 22, 2012. Accessed September 25, 2012.

Type 1 diabetes in school. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International website. Available at: http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page%5Fid=103439. Accessed September 25, 2012.

Type 2 diabetes. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/. Updated July 17, 2012. Accessed September 25, 2012.

What is bullying? Stop Bullying Now website. Available at: http://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/index.html. Accessed September 25, 2012.

When your blood glucose is too high or too low. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/lowglucose.htm. Accessed September 25, 2012.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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