What complicates the choice of profession in diabetes? Vocational orientation and work activity in case of diabetes mellitus Work for diabetic patients.

sometimes doctors say completely incomprehensible things (to put it mildly). with diabetes, some professions are really not recommended, for example, a public transport driver, since here the driver is responsible for people's lives .. and you never know what kind of hypoglycemia will come up, or what kind of daily shift work with which no regimen of insulin therapy will work. and in general, diabetes does not carry any special restrictions on the profession. you just think about how your profession will be dangerous for you and for others and decide whether it suits you or not. I think the profession of a cook is not catastrophic in diabetes, the main thing is not to eat a lot at work))) to hide - not to hide this is a personal matter for everyone, the main thing is to follow the insulin therapy regimen, eat and measure sugar on time and not risk your health. I don’t hide and I officially don’t have any restrictions on working capacity, this is with an experience of 17 years.
Kostya Jan 19, 2013
Getting settled with the group (officially) in general is a super problem! I, with my 3 "diabetic", while I took shape, rummaged around for 2 years! Nulyak is at zero and “would you go to ..” drives) One salvation was found - “Moscow program for the employment of disabled people”)) They pay ridiculous pennies, but at least I earn them myself, but I don’t beg from someone.
Elena Liskovskaya Kyiv 19 Jan, 2013
I think that you can and can work as a cook, the main thing is not to lift weights. And you also can’t stand directly above the steam so that hot air doesn’t directly hit the retina of the eyes, and so what’s wrong with this work, if there is also earnings.
Igor Klimenko 21 Jan, 2013

About work for a diabetic

Chef - great job! And as for the dia-ka, I will share information.

Officially, medicine (traditional) does not recommend diabetics to work in the kitchen, because. at the same time, the cook has many systems involved, including the exchange of v-v, which leaves much to be desired. This leads to overeating against the background of uncontrolled nutrition - then it is clear what will happen to sugars.

But there are ways to SELF-TUNING (need to learn) when the cook is preparing and not tasting the food.
In this case, the cooking process is a spiritual process, and the finished food always has perfect taste and other parameters.
I am familiar with such technologies and have been using them for more than 30 years. When I "work in the kitchen", the result is dishes from which everyone who eats, including me, is delighted, while my health is in order.

According to the legislation of Ukraine, enterprises are required to have a certain number of able-bodied disabled people. Having spread the network through acquaintances-acquaintances-acquaintances, you can always find such an enterprise and get a job (also my tested example).

And for the most extraordinary.
Anyone who is looking for a JOB is ready to sell his time to someone. But it is always reasonable for people who have knowledge, experience, skills and abilities to take responsibility for themselves and organize their activities. At the same time, the regime of labor is in the hands of these people. And I have mastered this path

Oksana Malysheva 30 Jan, 2013
Katerina, I want to advise you! Of course, according to all the rules and legislation, you have the right to preferential work, but alas, in our country (I live in Ukraine, Kamenetz-Podolsky, Khmelnitsky region), this is almost unrealistic. Try to contact the Employment Center at the place of residence, or look for work in the office from 8:00 to 17:00. After-school groups are supposed to work (at the end of the day) until 18:00, so problems should not arise at school. I believe that problems can arise with food at school, of course, but if you ask the teacher to make sure that the child is not given compote, tea, etc., cookies and buns, then everything else there is "dietary, so to speak" (I myself suffer from diabetes with 2 years old, while going to kindergarten, and a simple secondary school). Be brave and don't despair, good luck.

Diabetes mellitus is a limitation to a number of specialties. Basically, these are professions associated with an increased risk to human life and others, such as drivers, pilots, machinists, climbers. A patient with impaired carbohydrate metabolism should keep this in mind when choosing the type of activity.

Anyone can develop diabetes. This raises the question of whether it is possible to work as a driver with diabetes. It is important to understand that there is no need to rush to make a decision to abandon this profession, especially when it comes to type 2 pathology. But you should think about finding yourself in a different occupation for a number of reasons. First you need to find out who can work with such a disease, after which a decision is already made to change the type of activity.

What should the patient consider

With diabetes, there are two main factors to consider. The first of these is the study of the characteristics of the disease that has arisen, the risks associated with it. For example, to understand the reasons for the possible decompensation of carbohydrate metabolism, what it can threaten for a person. The second factor is the choice of a profession that does not pose a real threat, first of all, to the patient himself and the people who may surround him at the time of performing professional manipulations.

Working as a public transport driver with diabetes is unacceptable. There are a number of other professions that are also considered prohibited:

  • pilot;
  • driver;
  • high-altitude, industrial climber;
  • any other work that involves an increased concentration of attention, the difficulty of operating professional equipment or a large and heavy mechanism (for example, a welder or an electric and gas welder).

Based on this, it is easy to answer the question of whether people with diabetes can work as a driver. However, the decision is based on the severity of the pathology, the presence of complications of the process. When diagnosing a disease in childhood, this fact should be taken into account when choosing an educational institution. This will help you avoid possible job rejection.

How to keep a job as a driver


The doctor should inform patients that the presence of diabetes is not considered a contraindication to driving. But this is possible with adequate control of the pathology, and with the slightest destabilization of the state, measures should be taken. An important aspect is the certificate of a diabetic, which will allow others to quickly orient themselves in case of loss of consciousness.

A person working as a driver should be aware that there may be some difficulties due to the diet, insulin injections. Sometimes these nuances make such work impossible.

The second type of pathology is somewhat simpler in this regard, but you should still minimize the number of stressful situations, normalize the work and rest regime. Patients with severe diabetes are encouraged to work from home.

The best professions for such patients are:

  • librarian;
  • teacher;
  • economist;
  • therapeutic profile doctor;
  • laboratory assistant;
  • designer;
  • medical hospital nurse.

With mild severity


The mild form of diabetes implies a slight fluctuation in carbohydrate metabolism, while it is easy to regulate. Symptoms do not bother the patient constantly. With a mild form, it is not forbidden to drive a car or some complex mechanisms. However, such a development of events is possible at the initial stages of the disease, when it was detected in a timely manner, treatment was prescribed. This implies the absence of any complications of the process. Most often, this situation occurs in type 2 diabetes. Particular attention should be paid to the preventive examination of these patients.

There are certain activities that are prohibited for any diabetic patient:

  • physical labor of increased severity;
  • contact during work with poisonous, poisonous substances;
  • processing;
  • business trips for patients are allowed with their written consent.

Patients with diabetes should choose a more gentle mode of work than healthy ones. You should take into account your well-being, the state of carbohydrate metabolism, and take steps to prevent complications.

With moderate severity


Medium severity causes a ban on work associated with regular force majeure or accidents. It primarily includes machinists and drivers. This is due to the likely sharp change in the health of the employee, which will lead to fatal consequences for strangers in the worst case. You should always pay attention to the level of blood sugar, because the average severity of diabetes means its drastic changes.

Persons with this form of the disease are contraindicated in such work:

  • increased physical or severe mental stress;
  • stressful situations at work;
  • management of any vehicles;
  • with strain on the eyes or vision;
  • standing work.

People with diabetes in the presence of complications of the disease are given disability. It is caused by damage to other organs, vascular defects, including ischemic defects of the lower extremities. This means a decrease in professional suitability and the undesirability of working as a driver or operating other more complex mechanisms. Violation of this principle leads to tragic consequences for the patient and his environment.

Whom to work


An erroneous opinion is that it is contraindicated to work with diabetes. There are activities that do not prohibit such patients from working:

  • teacher;
  • medical activity;
  • librarian;
  • programmer;
  • secretary;
  • copywriter;
  • psychologist.

Patients should take into account the presence of pathology when choosing a profession, since each job requires a certain regime or routine. Not all of them are suitable for diabetics. It is important to avoid working at night. To improve the quality of life indicators, it is recommended to follow the following advice from doctors:

  1. Keep with you funds that can quickly affect carbohydrate metabolism - insulin, hypoglycemic drugs, sweets or sugar;
  2. Colleagues should be aware that you have such a pathology. This is necessary so that they can quickly provide emergency assistance and call an ambulance;
  3. Patients with diabetes mellitus have some social benefits - the duration of vacation increases, the working day is reduced.

Sometimes patients may claim that they continue to work as a train driver or public transport driver. In such a situation, the severity of the process should be clarified, since in the case of a severe course of the disease, this is contrary to common sense.


For some patients, diabetes is simply a way of life. It does not present a definite unsolvable problem. Such people live a full life, behave very actively. Such a situation is possible. But for her there are some conditions that require mandatory implementation.

These include:

  • carefully listening to the signals of your own body;
  • following the instructions of the attending physician;
  • maintaining a proper diet;
  • physical culture lessons.

There are sports that are allowed for diabetics - light fitness, swimming, medium cardio (jogging, orbitrek), gymnastic exercises. And from heavy exercises, such as squats with a barbell, deadlift should be abandoned. Some patients are allowed cross-country, boxing, mountaineering.

To make sure the adequacy of the chosen sport, you need to get a consultation from the attending endocrinologist. The doctor will tell you exactly what contraindications you have for physical activity, what it is better to pay attention to.

Despite all the arguments given, some diabetics continue to work in conditions that are not intended for them. These include work as a driver or driver. Such a step is possible only when diabetes is at its earliest stages, strong jumps in sugars have not begun, complications have not yet had time to form. The remaining cases require the abandonment of these professions.

On the other hand, a person with diabetes can safely continue to drive their own vehicles. However, if we are talking about some long journeys, then it is better to take with you a person who also knows how to drive a car, so that you can regularly replace each other. Traveling at night is undesirable. Reduced vision of such patients implies a refusal to drive motorcycles. It is important to remember that sudden spikes in sugar while driving can cause an emergency or disaster. Therefore, driving a car must be approached with special responsibility and attention.

With diabetes of any type, patients of endocrinologists need expensive medicines and various medical procedures. Given the sharp increase in the incidence, the state is taking various measures to support patients. Benefits for diabetics allow you to receive the necessary medicines, as well as receive free treatment in a dispensary. Not every patient is informed about the possibility of receiving social security.

Are all diabetics eligible for benefits? Is it necessary to apply for disability? Let's talk about this further.

What are the benefits for people with diabetes?

Benefits for the disabled

Patients with diabetes who become disabled are entitled to general benefits intended for all disabled people, regardless of the reason for their status.

What support measures does the state provide:

  1. Measures to restore health.
  2. Assistance from qualified professionals.
  3. Information support.
  4. Creation of conditions for social adaptation, provision of education and work.
  5. Discounts on housing and communal services.
  6. Additional cash payments.

Benefits for children with diabetes

In a special category of patients, children with a diagnosis of diabetes are singled out. The disease affects a small body especially strongly, and with an insulin-dependent type of diabetes, a child is diagnosed with disability. It is important for parents to be informed about government benefits that allow them to reduce the cost of treatment and rehabilitation of a sick child.

Children with disabilities are entitled to the following privileges:

  1. A free ticket to a sanatorium or a health camp with payment for travel to the place for both the child and his companion.
  2. disability pension.
  3. Special conditions for passing the exam, assistance with admission to an educational institution.
  4. The right to undergo diagnostics and treatment in a foreign clinic.
  5. Exemption from military duty.
  6. Cancellation of taxes.

Parents of a sick child under the age of 14 receive cash payments in the amount of average earnings.

Parents or guardians of a child are entitled to reduced working hours and additional days off. Old-age pension for these persons is provided ahead of schedule.

How to get benefits

Benefits for diabetics are provided by executive bodies upon presentation of a special document to patients. A document that allows receiving support from the state is issued to the patient by an endocrinologist or his representative at the diabetology center at the place of actual residence.

How to get medicine

Waiver of benefits

It is assumed that in case of refusal of full social security, patients with diabetes are entitled to financial support from the state. In particular, we are talking about material compensation for unused vouchers to the sanatorium.

In practice, the amount of payments does not compare with the cost of rest, therefore, it is worth refusing benefits only in exceptional cases. For example, when travel is not possible.


A diabetic, like any other person, has to work. Choosing a profession is a difficult and important decision. Can a diabetic do shift work? Let's talk about it today.

The Labor Code contains a definition of shift work. It follows from this that it is based on the performance of work according to a predetermined schedule, which provides for a change in the time that individuals are present at work. A characteristic feature of shift work is the change of workers at the same workplaces.

Shift work can be associated with both an increased risk of diabetes and poor diabetes management. It requires the need for periodic administration of antiglycemic drugs or insulin.

Read articles on this topic, which I have compiled specifically for diabetic shift workers.

The long-term, chronic course of diabetes mellitus leaves a significant imprint on the social problems of the patient, primarily employment. The attending endocrinologist plays an important role in determining the professional employment of the patient, especially the young one who chooses his specialty. At the same time, the forms of the disease, the presence and severity of diabetic angiopathy, complications and concomitant diseases are of great importance.

There are general provisions for any form of diabetes. Almost all patients are contraindicated in hard work associated with emotional and physical stress. Patients with diabetes are contraindicated to work in hot shops, in conditions of extreme cold, as well as sharply changing temperatures, work associated with chemical or mechanical, irritating effects on the skin and mucous membranes.

For patients with diabetes, professions associated with an increased risk to life or the need to constantly maintain their own safety (pilot, border guard, roofer, fireman, climber, etc.) are unsuitable.

Patients receiving insulin cannot be drivers of public or heavy trucks, work at moving, cutting mechanisms, at height. The right to drive private cars for patients with well-compensated stable diabetes without a tendency to hypoglycemia can be granted on an individual basis, subject to sufficient understanding by patients of the importance of treating their disease (WHO Expert Committee on Diabetes Mellitus, 1981).

In addition to these restrictions, professions associated with irregular working hours and business trips are contraindicated for people in need of insulin therapy. Young patients should not choose professions that interfere with a strict diet (cook, confectioner).

The optimal profession is one that allows for a regular alternation of work and rest and is not associated with fluctuations in the expenditure of physical and mental strength.

Particularly carefully and individually should be assessed the possibility of changing the profession in persons who fell ill in adulthood with an already formed professional position. In these cases, first of all, the state of health of the patient and the conditions that allow him to maintain satisfactory compensation for diabetes for many years should be taken into account.

There is another moral aspect of the professional problem. Some patients, especially younger ones, want to keep their illness a secret. Sparing the psyche of patients, the doctor is obliged to observe medical secrecy. At the same time, he must try to convince the patient of the uselessness and even the harm of such an idea about his illness.

This is especially important for patients with labile diabetes, who may need outside help at work, and therefore, on the contrary, it would be necessary to instruct colleagues on the basic rules for emergency care for such a disease.

When deciding on the ability to work, the form of diabetes, the presence of diabetic angioneuropathies and concomitant diseases are taken into account. Mild diabetes usually does not cause permanent disability.

The patient can be engaged in mental as well as physical labor, not associated with great stress. Some restrictions in labor activity in the form of the establishment of a normalized working day, the exclusion of night shifts, temporary transfer to another job can be carried out by the VKK.

In patients with moderate diabetes mellitus, especially with the addition of angiopathy, the ability to work is often reduced. Therefore, they should be advised to work with moderate physical and emotional stress, without night shifts, business trips, or additional workloads.

Attention!

Restrictions apply to all types of work that require constant attention, especially in patients receiving insulin (possibility of developing hypoglycemia). It is necessary to ensure the possibility of insulin injections and compliance with the dietary regimen in the production environment.

When transferring to a job with lower qualifications or with a significant reduction in the volume of production activity, patients are diagnosed with group III disability. The working capacity of persons with mental and light physical labor is preserved, the necessary restrictions can be implemented by decision of the VKK of the medical institution.

With decompensation of diabetes, the patient is issued a sick leave certificate. Such conditions, which often occur and are difficult to treat, can cause permanent disability of patients and the need to establish disability group II.

Significant disability, characteristic of patients with severe diabetes, is due not only to the violation of all types of metabolism, but also to the addition and rapid progression of angio-neuropathies and concomitant diseases. With rare exceptions, when it comes to highly skilled, mainly intellectual work, patients are not capable of regular performance of duties in a normal production environment.

Some individuals may work in specially created conditions or at home. Limitation of working capacity and, in connection with this, a decrease in qualifications and the amount of work serve as a reason for the establishment of VTEK disability of group III. If regular professional activity is impossible due to severe disorders of microcirculation and metabolism, group II disability is determined.

The rapid progression of microangiopathies (nephropathy, retinopathy), atherosclerosis can lead to progressive loss of vision, severe renal failure, heart attack, stroke, gangrene, that is, to a dense and persistent disability and to the transfer to disability II and I groups. Evaluation of working capacity in patients with visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy or diabetic cataracts is carried out after consultation with an expert ophthalmologist.

Source: https://www.rostmaster.ru/

Shift work and type 2 diabetes

A large international study suggests that type 2 diabetes is most common in people with shift work (day-night).

The findings, published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, point to people who work in shifts. They are the ones at risk. It is believed that a violation of the schedule affects the state of the body, hormonal levels and sleep - this causes an increase in risks.

The UK Diabetes Campaign advises such employees to eat a balanced diet and eat only healthy foods.

The disease can lead to blindness, increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and damage nerves and blood vessels, which increases the risk of leg amputation (in very severe cases).

Research in the sleep lab has shown that napping at inappropriate times of the day leads to early stages of type 2 diabetes developing within weeks.

An analysis of data from 226,652 people strengthened the association with type 2 diabetes. In the UK, 45 out of every 1,000 adults have some form of diabetes, the vast majority of whom are type 2.

A study by researchers at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China found that 9% of people who worked in shifts were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

But for men, this figure was 35%. For people torn between night and day shifts, the risk increased by 42%. The researchers say: "The results showed that male shift workers should pay more attention to diabetes prevention."

"Given the increasing prevalence of shift work around the world and the heavy burden of diabetes, the results of our study provide practical and valuable clues for diabetes prevention."

Possible explanations include disturbed sleep and eating patterns during shift work. One idea is that eating late at night makes the body more prone to storing fat, which increases obesity and, in turn, type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that the increased risk can be avoided by changing the level of male hormones.

In addition, do not forget about other factors that affect the risk of type 2 diabetes, because you can not pay attention only to a person's work schedule - this is just one of the factors. It's just more likely that it is shift work that is causing the disruption in sleep and nutrition, leading to an increased risk of developing the disease.

Source: http://www.ecolife.ru

Choosing a Career for a Diabetic Patient

When choosing a profession, a diabetic should avoid two extremes: one should not underestimate the seriousness of one's disease and dashingly rush to storm unbearable heights, but one should not absolutize the exclusivity of one's position, running away from everything that requires you to spend your mind and energy.

Thousands of people with diabetes mellitus left their mark in science, art, contributed to the technical progress of society with their work. French artist Paul Cezanne, English writer Herbert Wells, medical academics A. Nesterov and V. Baranov - the list goes on and on.

Yes, and you yourself could name dozens of names of people who successfully do what they love, despite the disease. It is only a pity that those around are not always attentive to those who work nearby, and do not realize why their colleague is “ridiculously punctual” in eating or by hook or by crook fights off business trips and agricultural work. And he, it turns out, is sick, but once again he does not want to remind about it.

When talking with a diabetic about choosing a profession, doctors advise choosing one that does not require a sharp change in physical and mental stress. It, of course, should be safe for the health of the patient himself and not threaten with unexpected "state of emergency" for others.

It is not difficult to imagine what is fraught with, for example, hypoglycemia or a driver's coma for bus passengers. And is it possible, without fear for the life of a diabetic, to “bless” him on the path of a climber-fitter or a policeman?

In any case, we can talk about a systematic approach to choosing a profession in the absence of severe complications and compensation for carbohydrate metabolism, regardless of the type of treatment used.

Attention!

The head of the enterprise or institution where you are employed or where you worked before the disease must be informed of your diagnosis. This will save you from possible misunderstandings, help you properly organize the regime of work and rest. You should be able to inject insulin or take pills, and not just “grab on the go” what you have to, but strictly on time to eat the food you need.

Why do people with diabetes need to give up shift work? In this case, the regimen of insulin administration is violated and timely correction of previously used doses of drugs is required. Your manager must know in advance that any overtime, even if you seem to be indispensable, is not for you, and if he appreciates you as a specialist, he must come to terms with this.

By the way, there is another very curious and extremely useful recommendation: in order to be appreciated at work, and you yourself do not get stuck when you discover that your illness and your profession interfere with each other, try to master them as much as possible from the very beginning. If your child is sick - take this as a guideline in order to ensure his future with his own head and his own hands.

What exactly should be the professional orientation of a patient with diabetes mellitus?

Young people are encouraged to master such professions as a teacher, a librarian, an agronomist, a trade worker, a physician (but not a surgeon), an economist, a painter, a parquet floor worker, a television and radio master, a clerk, an assistant secretary. But even in the case of choosing these seemingly calm professions, one should take into account the severity of diabetes, complications, concomitant diseases.

  • With a mild form of diabetes, in addition to the conditions mentioned above (exemption from night shifts, business trips, loads that require high energy costs), work in hot shops and underground is excluded.
  • With an average degree, this is supplemented by a ban on work where attention is required (conveyor line), the movement of mechanisms, and transport.
  • In severe diabetes, professional work becomes almost impossible and, as a rule, is reduced to work at home.

What specific professions can be considered compatible with diabetes, if it is compensated and not burdened with serious complications?

  • doctor, preferably a general practitioner and dentist,
  • pharmacist,
  • laboratory assistant
  • nurse,
  • nutritionist and dietitian,
  • hospital administrative staff,
  • school and university teacher
  • mechanic,
  • technician,
  • economist,
  • accountant,
  • gardener,
  • decorator,
  • tailor and others.

Contraindicated professions associated with extreme situations:

  • enlisted men and non-commissioned officers of the military service,
  • police officers,
  • mine rescuers,
  • athletes and artists whose performances involve risk,
  • roofers,
  • firemen,
  • installers.

There can be no question of working in infectious diseases hospitals, bacteriological and chemical laboratories, in general, wherever there is heat or cold, dampness, harm to the eyes, mucous membranes and skin. Someone may be surprised by the undesirability of working in canteens, bakeries, confectioneries, buffets, but this immediately becomes clear, given that tastings are indispensable here.

Where this prohibition is ignored by force or unknowingly, breakdowns and complications are inevitable. As statistics show, the most “generous” for diabetes in women is the food industry, where, compared with other, traditionally female industries, the incidence of diabetes is three times higher.

It can be difficult, if not impossible, to part with a profession that determines your life status, the prevailing system of values. But after all, firstly, it is not always necessary to part if the disease has caught you already at the top or the end of your life path - here, even with a severe form, adjustments to the regimen, mitigation of the requirements are possible. And secondly, the same driver (and leaving the steering wheel or remote control in this case is mandatory) can become a dispatcher or auto mechanic, a policeman - an inspector of the personnel department, etc.

When talking about choosing a profession or mastering it in conditions of illness, one cannot avoid mentioning the need to create a favorable moral and psychological climate in the work collective. Alas, not every manager easily puts up with the fact that the decrease in the working capacity of patients, even with uncomplicated diabetes mellitus, compensated only by diet, averages 20 percent.

If the boss knows about the essence of the disease (and both the shop doctor and the patient himself should help him in this), it seems that the working life of a diabetic will not be overshadowed by the indifference of others.

But life is life. And bosses are different. It is no coincidence that the World Health Organization in its latest report on diabetes mellitus (Geneva, 1990) declares the inadmissibility of discrimination against diabetic patients in obtaining a profession, work. This means that there are facts of discrimination - and how they manifest themselves, how to deal with them, apparently, should become a permanent topic for our magazine. In some countries education and employment opportunities for people with diabetes are protected by law.

To protect their rights and guarantees, social formations of diabetics stand up, which are created all over the world, uniting patients on a scale of cities, towns - and up to a national scale. Among other problems, they manage to solve issues related to career guidance, vocational training for young people, and retraining of people with diabetes in adulthood. And although this experience is only beginning to be adopted in our republic, this fact gives reason for hope ...

Source: http://www.happydoctor.ru

Shift work significantly increases the risk of diabetes and obesity

Working in shifts, a person usually devotes too little time to sleep, and very often not at night, which in turn can significantly increase the risk of developing diabetes and obesity, a group of British scientists came to this conclusion as a result of another study.

We analyzed the condition of 21 people who worked in an unusual mode, which did not include the ability to go to bed or eat at the same time. An analysis published in the journal Science Translational Medicine found that with this lifestyle, the body faces some metabolic problems that the body tries to regulate. As a result, in some patients, the first symptoms of diabetes developed within just a few weeks.

The researchers arranged for the test group conditions as close as possible to shift work. The length of their day was extended to 28 hours, and most of the time they spent in dimly lit space so that the influence of sunlight could not properly set the biological clock to the desired rhythm.

They averaged 6.5 hours of sleep during their extended day, which is equivalent to about 5.6 hours on a normal day. Researchers have calculated that from such a lifestyle in the body, the production of hormones that suppress the production of insulin jumps several times over. Three participants in the experiment had blood sugar levels so high that they were close to developing diabetes, as a result of which they had to be withdrawn from the trial.

All participants experienced an average of an 8% drop in metabolic rate, which was immediately reflected in the rates of fat gain.

On average, over the three weeks of the test, each of the participants added 2-3 kg of adipose tissue. Thus, the researchers concluded that shift work, especially at night, is extremely dangerous in terms of increasing the likelihood of developing diabetes and obesity.

In this case, the circadian rhythm goes astray, which causes a hormonal imbalance in the body, significantly weakens the immune system, and can lead to a number of the most adverse consequences.

Although, it must be admitted, the awareness of the entire population about the "sugar disease" is quite high here. There is also a special public organization dealing with the problems of children and adolescents with diabetes in terms of their studies and work. It is noteworthy that the majority of patients with DM, both young and adults, are largely due to the active popularization of knowledge about diabetes and promotion of a healthy lifestyle - they do not hide their disease. And, of course, they are not shy about doing their daily “dia-tasks” in full view of others.

So, I have repeatedly seen young people, most likely students, doing a blood test on a glucometer or injecting insulin via pen syringe in cafes, metro stations and other public places. Who will they be tomorrow? Will it bother them diabetes achieve the intended goals?

After all, he did not prevent many world-famous athletes, scientists, artists, writers, politicians from writing their glorious page in history. Among them are hockey player Bobby Clark and football player Harry Mabbat, artists Fyodor Chaliapin and Lyudmila Zykina, Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley, artist Paul Cezan, scientist Thomas Edison, writers HG Wells and Mikhail Sholokhov, Marshal Fyodor Tolbukhin, politicians Nasser and Sadat, Tito and Gorbachev and many other representatives of different countries and nationalities. It is curious that in the list of American record holders with SD there are 33 athletes; the list of artists and singers is even more impressive. The example of these people is clear evidence that the disease diabetes- by no means the collapse of all hopes to do what you love.

Are all professions available?

However, the daily life of the patient diabetes should be subject to a certain treatment-and-prophylactic and hygienic regimen. Only careful observance of it can allow people suffering from this disease to be socially active, lead a life as close to normal as possible, and engage in interesting and useful work. It is also important that an activity that is exciting and compatible with the requirements of an individual regimen is undoubtedly a powerful factor in maintaining the patient's vital activity, his social satisfaction.

However, how diabetologist with many years of experience, I can confirm: the specific features of certain types of work negatively affect the course of the disease, make it difficult to compensate, increase the risk of severe complications, lead to early disability, and in some cases are simply contraindicated for the patient diabetes.

Therefore, the problem of combining work activity with restrictions due to the nature of the disease is not removed from the agenda when choosing a profession, during study, work, and even at retirement age.

In our time of scientific progress and high technology, many new professions have appeared that expand the types of work. Thus, in the “Classifier of Professions” in force in Russia, we find several thousand names of various professions (there are more than a thousand of them starting with the letter “A” alone!). But, unfortunately, not everything is acceptable for diabetes. Some specialties are clearly contraindicated, admission to many others has severe restrictions. And, of course, statements that sometimes appear in the media that “with good DM compensation and the absence of complications, you can master any profession. (By the way, does the much-desired compensation always remain stable?)

Of course, in resolving the issue of professional orientation and labor activity of the patient diabetes not a formal (the presence of a disease), but an individual approach is needed. He must take into account not only and not even so much the very fact of the presence of the disease, but also its important personal characteristics: the form, severity and nature of the course, the means and regimen of treatment, the presence and severity of complications, " diabetological» literacy of the patient, possession of means of self-control and emergency self-help, the level of self-discipline and responsibility for oneself and others.

Step by step…

According to many diabetologists in Australia, it is optimal if, in the process of raising a sick person, diabetes the child will be unobtrusively instilled in him an interest in such activities, which later he himself, according to his own aspirations, and not forcedly, will consider them as priority, most desirable for him in terms of professional activity.

Tactfully, competently, from childhood, a child can be introduced to such areas of life as the art of music, engineering (the range of possibilities here is huge!), professional work with a computer, the study of foreign languages ​​(translation), theoretical physics, mathematics, pedagogy, financial and economic management and so on.

As the child grows older in the search for his professional orientation, parents and teachers can gradually explain to him the personal and social expediency of the preferred choice of one or another “suitable” profession, give arguments for its attractiveness and prospects. Similar arguments can be used in communication with young people who are ill diabetes during their studies at the institute or those who still have a short work experience in their specialty - those who still have many years of a full-fledged “life with diabetes” ahead, and in the name of such a life they can consciously change their future profession in the right perspective.

By the way, young people themselves can often act as carriers and propagandists of such reasonable decisions. diabetes. In one of the recent Internet messages of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the appeal of the "Support Group" of sick students was published. Among its authors are Anna Ostergre (23 years old, student at the University of Copenhagen, type 1 diabetes since 1999), Dana Lewis (student of the University of Alabama, 19 years old, ill since the age of 14), Kuytlin McEnery (student of Georgetown University, 22 years old, sick since 3 years old)

When a person becomes ill with diabetes at a more mature age, having a solid professional experience and experience (most often the disease then proceeds according to the second type), the question of further professional activity is decided purely individually, taking into account many, including psychological, factors.

If the nature of this activity allows it to be combined with the implementation of the necessary therapeutic and preventive measures, then the patient can continue to work in the specialty, limiting himself only to an easy correction of its schedule and duration, diet and physical activity. Most often this is possible with type 2 diabetes. Much less often, but not at all excluded, and with type 1 diabetes. Sometimes a sick person definitely has to stop working in their usual position and field.

If it is difficult for a person, due to established attachments, accumulated knowledge and experience, to leave for another area of ​​professional work or stop it altogether, then in such situations it is advisable to change the specialty to one close in profile to the previous one. For example, a bus or taxi driver who falls ill can retrain as a repairman or dispatcher in the same fleet; an active professional athlete can become a coach of a youth team, an administrator of a sports school; a policeman to switch to non-operational work in his own department; military officer - to work in the military registration and enlistment office, military educational institution ...

medical angles

Of course, such a retraining or initial choice of profession should be based on basic medical requirements. They are:

the exclusion of work with a shift schedule, late in the evening and at night;

refusal to work (or their limitation) associated with increased physical activity and harmful working conditions (unfavorable microclimate of working premises, dangerous physical, chemical and biological effects, prolonged visual and strong psycho-emotional stress);

exclusion of work in extreme conditions (underwater, underground, in emergency situations, in isolated rooms, etc.);

exclusion (limitation) of work on the management of ground, air, underground and other public transport, construction and other dangerous and complex mechanisms;

exclusion (limitation) of work in conditions that do not allow or make it difficult to seek help from others, the provision of emergency medical care.

Given these initial requirements and in terms of acceptability for the patient diabetes all types of professions can be divided into three main groups.

Contraindicated.

Drivers of public transport (buses, trams, trolleybuses, taxis), pilots, astronauts, submariners, divers, miners working in caissons, builders and high-altitude assemblers, drivers and operators of moving construction and other mechanisms, repairmen of external electrical networks, mine rescuers; work with a high level of physical, chemical or biological (infectious) hazards, work in difficult (extreme) temperature and humidity conditions, work in places remote from the possibility of providing emergency medical care; other high-risk professions associated with the occurrence of extreme situations, requiring special attention and responsibility, excluding the possibility of compliance with the treatment and prophylactic regimen necessary for the patient.

Relatively contraindicated.

Works and professions associated with frequent business trips, associated with the impact of industrial environmental pollution, requiring prolonged visual strain; professional sports; work in isolated rooms without partners, with irregular working hours, high psycho-emotional stress.

Teachers of secondary and higher schools, researchers and laboratory assistants (with the exclusion of exposure to harmful environmental factors), physicians (except for the specialties of the surgical profile, infectious disease specialists, emergency medical care), pharmacists, financial workers, economists, programmers, builders and repairmen of internal premises, librarians , various types of administrative and managerial work and a number of other professions that do not interfere with compliance with the regimen required for this patient.

Driving your car

Somewhat outside the scope of our topic is the question of using personal vehicles. Naturally, for those patients who do not have medical contraindications associated with advanced age, the severity and nature of the course of the disease, there is no reason to restrict the right to drive a personal car. In most cases, they can drive a car without restrictions patients with type 2 diabetes. As regards patients with type 1 diabetes, then they are also allowed to drive their car - provided that the disease is well compensated, they are not prone to frequent hypoglycemic reactions and due to "hypo" fogging and loss of consciousness. But preferably on "quiet" highways, where there is no heavy traffic and pedestrians.

In any case, the driver must:

do not violate the prescribed diet and medication (injections insulin);

get behind the wheel after the prescribed meal and no later than one hour before its next meal;

have with you glucometer, hypoglycemic agents and syringe pen, a drug glucagon, a sandwich, some sweets, glucose tablets, plain and sweet (on sugar) water;

at the slightest sign of a beginning hypoglycemia stop the car immediately and check blood sugar, if necessary, take glucose tablets, drink sweet water, etc.;

it is advisable to have a medallion (bracelet) with you indicating that he has a SD or other similar certificate with a record of the addresses and telephone numbers of persons who need to be notified if necessary (applying for emergency medical care, accident);

on a long trip, at least one and a half to two hours later, make stops for rest.

Professor Ilya Nikberg, Sydney

The original article can be found on the official website of the newspaper DiaNews