Staying up to date with diabetes is sometimes difficult as there are so many new products, gadgets and apps that make living with diabetes a little more bearable.  And I have read a few important items from different sources that may either help you or at least if you read about it will be able to share the information with someone that has diabetes that can benefit from what you will tell them.

Ignoring symptoms of depression is not wise move where you have diabetes. It could put your sight at risk, in a five year study of 2300 people with diabetes researches found a significantly higher rate of retinopathy, a condition that can lead to serious eye damage, among those with untreated depression.

While low spirits often go hand in hand with poor diabetes management, the study found that physical changes linked with depression – raised levels of the stress hormone cortisol and blood clotting agents were additional risk factors.  So don’t tempted to tough it out if you’re feeling down, seek your doctor’s advice on the treatment options available.

This is all so true, I have a friend that is a type 1 diabetic that is under a great deal of stress as she is also nursing her father who is dying.  I met her for coffee the other morning and she looked really bad.  After the usual pleasantries I asked her how she was and she remarked that she was not coping all that well as felt hopeless looking after a Dad and placing all of her energy caring for him and letting her own health slide.

Stress was the top of the list cited for people not going to work and chucking a sickie in a global survey commissioned by The Workforce Institute at Kronos in the US – a sure sign that both workers and employers need to face up to emotional strain as a valid health issue.  Whether it’s official or not, taking the odd mental health day off is decompress could be deemed a health essential, especially if you have diabetes and stress sends your BGLs soaring, leaving you to prey to illness, infection and extended time off work.  Short-term prevention versus long periods of recovery?  Sounds like a win-win for you and your boss!

I really think it is a matter of having an open and honest communication with your boss especially if you are thinking of taking time off at least that would give your boss time enough to have you covered when you are not there.