Driving loads across the state of Missouri requires keen eyes and alert muscles. Unfortunately, truck driving is a sedentary job that does not allow for much exercise, which puts many truck drivers at risk of being overweight. One of the problems that may arise from excessive weight is diabetes, which can hinder a person’s ability to handle a truck on the road.
The FleetOwner magazine website points out that drivers inflicted with diabetes face the possibility of losing their driving certification unless they successfully apply for an exemption, showing that they can manage their condition with insulin prescriptions. Many truck drivers with diabetes are prohibited from driving because diabetes can disrupt the body in ways that make it hazardous for a trucker to drive. A diabetes sufferer can lose touch sensations in the feet or hands due to peripheral neuropathy. Diabetes may also result in fluids obstructing the eye, which is also known as retinopathy.
Unfortunately, while diabetes is manageable and harmful side effects can be prevented from occurring, the demands of a trucking job make it hard to keep on top of regular medication. A driver may start off on a haul and forget to refill a prescription. The driver might also forget to pack medicine and bring it along. Truckers might not organize their medications in advance and fall out of their routine. These lapses can cause a driver to develop more serious problems later on.
ProDrivers recommends ways truck drivers can gain control of their eating habits while on the road to help control their weight and reduce the risk of diabetes and other disorders. These include substituting grilled foods in place of fried foods, drinking water instead of soft drinks, eating vegetables instead of snacks, and eating smaller portions of food. Additionally, truck drivers should look for opportunities to walk when they stop driving, even if they walk a single mile.