Photo Credit: Phototreat / istockphoto.com
7. Avoid the Egyptian River
You know, de Nile. (Denial – get it?)
Yes, it’s an old joke, but often people with potentially serious health issues bury their heads in the sand and hope it goes away. Some people are embarrassed and try to hide their health issues from friends, family and work colleagues.
With diabetes it’s especially important to be frank and honest at all times, as the nature of the disease means that if you become ill the people around you need to be able to tell health care workers about your diabetes. It could literally mean the difference between life and death.
On that note, if you are prone to hypos or hypers it might be wise to obtain a MedicAlert wrist band or jewellery item that you can wear alerting emergency services to you precise condition and medications, or to carry something in your purse or wallet that gives all the latest information about your personal medication regime and doctor’s contact details.
If you are buying insurance for any reason you must mention your diabetes. It’s tempting to avoid doing so if not directly asked to save money, but if anything were to happen you likely wouldn’t be able to claim.
So many other health issues can be linked to diabetes that you could easily find yourself stranded abroad with vast hospital bills after a holiday heart attack when the insurance company links it to your undeclared diabetes and refuses to pay out.
Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or have been struggling for years, it’s not always easy to stay on top of your diabetes management.
