Diabetes is a condition that affects many truckies – and you could be at risk without even knowing it.
According to an educator from Diabetes Australia, a 45-year-old male truck driver has a one in 50 risk of developing type 2 diabetes – but if your waistline is over 100cm, your risk increases to one in 14.
With a 2021 survey from Monash University finding that over 80 per cent of Australian truck drivers are overweight or obese, the dangers are very real.
This week is National Diabetes Week, so we thought we would share some of major signs and symptoms to look out for.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and gradually loses the capacity to produce enough insulin in the pancreas. The condition has strong genetic and family-related (non-modifiable) risk factors but is also often associated with modifiable lifestyle risk factors. We do not know the exact genetic causes of type 2 diabetes. People may be able to significantly slow or even stop the progression of the condition through changes to diet and increasing the amount of physical activity they do.
Read more: Truckie opens up about daily struggle with diabetes
Type 2 diabetes: The symptoms
According to Diabetes Australia, many people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms. As type 2 diabetes is commonly (but not always) diagnosed at a later age, sometimes signs are dismissed as a part of “getting older”. In some cases, by the time type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the long-term complications of diabetes may already be present.
Symptoms include:
Being excessively thirsty
Passing more urine
Feeling tired and lethargic
Always feeling hungry
Having cuts that heal slowly
Itching, skin infections
Blurred vision
Gradually putting on weight, or some people will lose weight
Mood swings
Headaches
Feeling dizzy
Leg cramps
If you have one or more of these symptoms, you should ask your GP about getting a diabetes test.
You can also find out more about your risk of developing diabetes using Diabetes Australia’s Risk Calculator.
Managing type 2 diabetes
If you get a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, the good news is that there are practical steps you can take that can make a real difference.
These include:
• Eating a variety of healthy foods like vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains and avoiding processed foods
• Exercising regularly
• Monitoring your blood sugar levels with regular tests
• Taking medication
For more health advice, truckies can visit the site healthingear.com.au, where you will find industry-specific tips and timetables for free on-road health checks.
What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body’s own immune system is activated to destroy the beta cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. We do not know what causes this autoimmune reaction, however environmental factors are thought to set off the process. Type 1 diabetes is not linked to modifiable lifestyle factors. Currently there is no cure, and it is a lifelong condition.
For more information on type 1 diabetes, see the Diabetes Australia website here.
Type 1 diabetes: The signs and symptoms
Being excessively thirsty
Passing more urine
Feeling tired and lethargic
Always feeling hungry
Having cuts that heal slowly
Itching, skin infections
Blurred vision
Unexplained weight loss
Mood swings
Headaches
Feeling dizzy
Leg cramps
These symptoms may occur suddenly. If they occur, see a doctor. Through a simple test, a doctor can find out if they’re the result of type 1 diabetes.
Managing type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is managed with insulin injections several times a day or the use of an insulin pump. Glucose levels can be measured using a blood glucose monitor or a continuous glucose monitor which measures glucose in the body’s interstitial fluid. Following Australia’s national guidelines on healthy eating and exercise applies to all Australians, including people living with type 1 diabetes. Learning to recognise and count carbohydrate will assist with your accurate dosing of insulin.
Healthy Heads
Healthy Heads in Truck and Sheds says it is working with several of its partners to offer programs that will improve the physical wellbeing of heavy vehicle drivers and help combat diabetes.
Melissa Weller, director of industry relations and program management at Healthy Heads, told Big Rigs: “Our programs not only focus on education and longer-term behavioural change but are practical.
“Our nutrition program is working to provide increased access to healthier choices. It is not enough to just tell people to make healthier choices, you must make sure these foods are available at their workplaces, which is on the road.
“Increasing physical activity is also essential to avoid diseases like diabetes, which is why we have included exercise videos and instructions in the Healthy Heads App. These videos are easy for drivers to access and follow, and can be done anytime, anywhere.’’
She shared one example of a Healthy Heads initiative, a recent partnership with bp.
“We created the Healthier Choices Menu available at 31 locations across the country. The menu includes lists meals that are rated green on the nutrition guidelines traffic light system.”
Healthy Heads is also providing free health checks at its road show outreach events throughout the year.
Weller added: “People are often surprised when they complete the blood sugar test, in terms of where they sit regarding diabetes risk.”
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