If you have ever taken a road trip, or driven on a highway, chances are you have seen an 18-wheeler truck. The truckers who drive these trucks are known as long haul truckers, and they usually travel between states on a daily basis without frequent or extended stops. Long haul truck driving is a cool job, but long haul truckers need to know how to manage the medical issues that may arise as a result of their truck driving career.
How do truckers manage medical issues? There are many medical issues long haul truckers may face as they spend most of their time in a stationary position. Long haul truckers can manage their medical issues by carefully planning their trips prior to driving, and by exercising discipline in following their plan during their trips.
Truck drivers who drive long distances will likely develop medical issues as a result of their working environment and conditions related to the responsibilities of their job. Truck drivers suffer from medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), sleep apnea, and high cholesterol. These health conditions can negatively impact truck drivers’ ability to drive, which could cost truck drivers their employment. Once truckers are aware of their specific working and medical conditions, they can create a plan to help manage medical issues while trucking.
Causes of Truck Drivers Medical Conditions
It is optimal for truck drivers to be in perfect health when they sign on to the job. Usually, when a serious medical condition has developed, it is the result of a preexisting health condition that has been exacerbated by less than ideal working conditions. For truck drivers, health, leisure, family, and balance take a back seat to the daily demands of the work. As a result, medical issues have a greater chance of arising due to work environment conditions and pre-existing medical conditions.
Long Haul Trucking Work Conditions
Long haul truck drivers have unique work conditions that contribute to the onset of their medical conditions. Long haul truck drivers do not work a standard 9 – 5 job, where they focus on one aspect of their job while sitting behind a desk. This is because long haul truckers are in the logistics and transportation industries at the same time. As a result, a truck driver’s work conditions will change depending on their daily responsibilities.
Long haul truck drivers mostly work from the road. In this work setting, they are required to load their trucks and drive from one location to the next to transport cargo. While driving, truck drivers must stay cautious and aware of traffic and traffic laws. Truck drivers must also be aware of the their timetable — if a driver is late to one destination point, that could put them behind on future pickups and deliveries and cause a lot of unwanted stress.
Truck driving may appear to be a glamorous job where truck drivers get to vary their work setting and travel every day. But the reality is, truck drivers are often confined to the cab of their truck as they travel from one place to the next making deliveries. Some delivery routes, and extenuating circumstances such as traffic, may require truck drivers to drive non-stop for hours at a time. Truck driving promotes a stationary lifestyle for truck drivers, which negatively impacts their health and contributes to the onset of a number of medical conditions.
Additionally, while working on the road, truck drivers need to be aware of safety risks. If the truck driver arrives at a drop-off point, and there is no dolly to assist with physically transporting the load from the truck to the establishment, truck drivers may be expected to carry the load. This demand may negatively impact the truck driver’s health if they are not aware of their own preexisting health conditions.
Preexisting Health Conditions That Affect Truck Drivers
Long haul truck drivers are at higher risk of developing medical conditions, which must be managed, as a result of pre existing conditions. It is especially important for truck drivers who have preexisting medical conditions to manage their health. This is necessary, so that truck drivers are able to maintain their employment, as well as safety while operating such a large piece of equipment. While truck drivers do not have to be in perfect health in order to obtain employment, they do need to stay abreast of any changes to their emotional, mental, or physical state of being.
- Long Haul Truck Drivers and Stress
- Although they do not have to put up with workplace banter on a daily basis, long haul truck drivers still experience stress as a direct result of their employment. Long haul truck drivers are often tasked with the requirement of having to drive for extended distances between drop-off and delivery point, in solitude. The stress of having to meet specific deliveries within a given period of time plus the lack of interaction with others can create feelings of anxiety or depression, and can negatively impact the overall well-being of the truck driver.
- When combining the pressures of the job with a lack of break time and human interaction, truck drivers are susceptible to suffering from bouts of loneliness and stress as a result of their work.
- Other medical conditions can arise as a result of stress such as:
- Obesity – truck drivers may eat to feel comfort from being alone for a large duration of the day,
- Hypertension – truck drivers may drive their heart rate up by frequently worrying about the amount of time their delivery route is taking,
- High Cholesterol – truck drivers experiencing large amounts of stress may feel inclined to eat foods that are not conducive to great health. As a result, they may increase the amount of cholesterol that is built up within their arteries.
- Heart Disease – truck drivers may suffer from heart disease as a result of stress, obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol. All of these diseases make it more difficult for their heart to pump blood at an optimal level.
- Diabetes Mellitus – truck drivers who suffer from diabetes mellitus have an elevated risk of having to face side effects of the disease while they are at work. This is a disease which has the potential to sneak up on the truck driver at moments which they are not expected.
In addition to the diseases that truck drivers face as a result of stress, there is another condition that can impact the health of a long haul truck driver. This condition is typically a pre existing medical condition that truck drivers face. However, it can develop over time, as a result of irregular working hours.
- Long Haul Truck Drivers and Sleep Apnea
- Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where individuals stop breathing for a short amount of time while they are sleeping. The disruption to the natural breathing process while at rest actually interrupts the sleep cycle, which leaves individuals feeling tired throughout the day and contributes to stress. Long haul truck drivers who unknowingly suffer from sleep apnea are at an added risk of endangering themselves, or others, if they do not manage their sleep habits.
- Unfortunately for long haul truck drivers, the job requires flexible scheduling with long distance and driving and deliveries occurring at all hours of the day and night. This type of schedule does not help to regulate the sleep cycle of an individual who suffers from sleep apnea. Truck drivers with sleep apnea need to make sure they are managing their sleep accordingly in order to get good rest, and to be able to function throughout the day.
Long haul truck drivers who do know their health conditions, yet do nothing to handle their preexisting medical conditions, are a hazard on the road. Not managing health conditions can potentially cause a dire situations that are also avoidable.
Health Conditions Developed by Truck Drivers
There are a number of health conditions that negatively impact long haul truck drivers. These health conditions can negatively impact a truck driver’s ability to maintain their employment over time. The following chart will outline the common medical conditions long haul truck drivers face, and it will indicate the likelihood of a long haul truck driver developing the health condition.
| MEDICAL CONDITION | DEFINITION | LIKELIHOOD |
| OBESITY | Obesity is defined as the condition of being grossly fat or overweight. Obesity increases the chance of truck drivers developing diabetes mellitus, heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, and high cholesterol. Truck drivers who suffer from obesity should take the necessary precautions to manage their weight and improve their health. | Truck drivers are twice as likely as other workers to become obese. The main reason for this is the stationary lifestyle that is built into the working environment. |
| DIABETES MELLITUS | Diabetes is a disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood and urine. | Truck drivers have a 50% higher than the national average for workers to develop diabetes mellitus. |
| HEART DISEASE | Heart disease is conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart’s muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease. | Truck drivers are more than twice as likely compared to national average worker to develop heart disease over the course of their career.. |
| HYPERTENSION | Hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure. It often is a side effect of experiencing great psychological stress, and it can contribute to the advancement of other health conditions. | As recently as March 2018, 26% of truck drivers have hypertension, compared to 24% of the US working population. |
| HIGH CHOLESTEROL | High cholesterol can lead to a build-up of cholesterol in the arteries, which can increase blood pressure and lead to heart disease. | Truck drivers have a higher occurrence of high cholesterol than the general US worker population. |
Long Haul Truck Drivers and Chronic Diseases
As you can see from our table above, long haul truck drivers are at a higher risk of suffering from a number of health conditions such as the following: obesity, high cholesterol, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to their lifestyle. Furthermore, truck drivers are at higher risk of developing these diseases than workers in other industries. Truck drivers need to manage their weight, their diet, and their sleep habits if they want to successfully manage their health while maintaining their truck driving careers.
- Obesity
Truck drivers are twice as likely as the average national worker to become obese.It is a well known fact that truck drivers spend the majority of their time in a truck, as they drive from one place to another to fulfill their daily work obligations. The reason for this high occurrence of obesity is that truck drivers are confined to the cab of their trucks for a majority of their day. This confinement to one position for an extended period of time makes it difficult for truck drivers to get regular physical exercise while on the job; truck drivers do not have the convenience of being able to take a walk around an office. This lack of movement, plus the road snacks that help keep truck drivers energized, promotes obesity. Obesity is a factor which contributes to the following ailments truck drivers need to manage.
- High Cholesterol
Due to the lack of consistent physical movement and the work environment, truck drivers are at an elevated risk of developing high cholesterol. High cholesterol is one disease that truckers face that can quickly contribute to, or impact, current medical conditions. Truck drivers with high cholesterol suffer from a build up in their arteries, which can restrict blood flow and lead to heart problems. Truck drivers who are dealing with high cholesterol need to manage this condition by incorporating physical activity into their daily schedule – even when they are on the road.
- Hypertension
In the United States, more than 26% of truck drivers suffer from hypertension – also known as high blood pressure. Hypertension often occurs as a result of high stress and it contributes to the development of other diseases. Truck drivers often must meet tight deadlines, which can lead them to incur high levels of stress within the work environment and lead to hypertension. Truck drivers must take care to manage their stress levels while carrying out their work responsibilities.
- Heart Disease
Truck drivers are more than twice as likely as other workers to develop heart disease. Heart disease can develop as a result of obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol. But it is important to note that these conditions are not fully to blame for human’s developing and having to deal with heart disease. These are all diseases which truck drivers are at higher risk of developing due to work conditions and demands. The side effects of heart disease are uncomfortable and potentially debilitating. For this reason, truck drivers who suffer from heart disease need to take all necessary steps to manage their illness.
- Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes is a disease in which the body is not able to produce the necessary hormones to respond to insulin. Truck drivers typically suffer from a condition called Diabetes Mellitus as a result of their previous health conditions and their working environment. Truck drivers who do not know they have developed diabetes mellitus is especially dangerous – truck drivers need to know the consequences of putting their health on the backburner and prioritizing their work without enforcing work boundaries. This article will further discuss how truck drivers who suffer from diabetes can manage their medical needs while out on the road.
Why Diabetes Is Scary For Truck Drivers
Of all the medical conditions that affect long haul truck drivers, diabetes is especially scary for a number of reasons. Diabetes is a disease in which the body’s ability to respond to a change in hormones is impaired. Long haul truck drivers who suffer from diabetes, but do not know it, are an extreme risk to their own safety and the safety of others when they are operating as a truck driver.
To give you an idea of the seriousness of diabetes: One evening a trucking professional in my family went missing. His employers were able to see that he was stuck on his delivery route, but they could not figure out why. Luckily a passerby noticed the trucking professional passed out at a rest stop, and they called the police who then called the hospital. A few days later, the trucking professional realized he needed to give his body a break from the constant wear and tear of making delivery runs.
Diabetes is a debilitating disease for truck drivers as it creates the need for drivers to create well planned travel routes. If diabetes is not managed appropriately, once the condition is diagnosed, it could lead to damaged blood vessels, glaucoma, and issues with the feet, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes is dangerous to drivers who are unaware of their condition because at any moment. On the other hand, with a balanced and fruit-based diet, it’s quite possible that future entities will have no desire in farming.
Truckers who have a mutual partnership with LA and East Cost culture (as it refers to Superboals, NBA Finals, and even swimming. The players on our basketball team had shaved their heads and remove the doubt from your mind. Their blood sugar level can drop. If this were to happen, and there was no place for the driver to pull over, they run the risk of falling asleep at the wheel and endangering everyone on the road.
Recommendations for How Truckers Manage Diabetes
For commercial truck drivers, “diabetes” is a very scary word. Prior to 2003, there was a complete ban on drivers who suffered from diabetes. However, after 2003, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced to remove the ban and provided waivers in its Diabetes Exemption Program.
According to the Diabetes Exemption Program, the drivers with an A1C between 7-10% are allowed to work as commercial drivers. This makes it essential for the truckers to manage their diabetes, but a study claimed that truck drivers have a 50% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to the general population. But, how do truck drivers actually manage when they have diabetes? In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the proven methods that truck drivers may implement to manage their diabetic condition.
Make Time for Physical Activities
For truck drivers who are diabetic, it is highly recommended to indulge in physical activities or join a physical program. Although it may be difficult for the truckers to join a local gym as they are always on the move, a few workouts each week such as taking a brisk walk, stretching, yoga, bicycling or swimming, may be highly effective.
Sometimes truck drivers must make deliveries that require they travel for an extended distance. On these delivery routes, truck drivers can make time for physical activities during their rest-stops. Truck drivers may walk around their truck a few times while they are waiting for their gas tank to be refilled. Alternatively, doing a few simple stretches during rest stops is a good way for truck drivers who suffer from diabetes to manage medical issues and increase well-being.
Follow A Diet
It is very important for truck drivers suffering from diabetes to follow a strict diet. To improve diabetes, it is recommended that truck drivers who suffer from diabetes eat a healthy snack every two hours. This practice will help truck drivers to maintain blood sugar levels and manage their diabetic condition. Furthermore, eating a healthy snack every two hours will help truck drivers to manage their energy, which will help with managing the machinery and overall safety of vehicle operations.
- Eat Healthier Food and Measured Portion Sizes
- Truckers who suffer from diabetes must take care to eat a healthy diet, even while they are on long delivery routes.
- Diabetic truck drivers a limited to food options that are available on their routes.
- There is not one specific diet which every diabetic must follow.
- It is good for truck drivers who suffer from diabetes to incorporate a diet which is high in fruit and vegetables, and which does not include too much processed food, into their daily meal plans.
- Remain Hydrated
- It is especially important for truck drivers who suffer from diabetes to stay hydrated while they are on long journeys.
- If a truck driver is not disciplined, and they forget to maintain their hydration, it could cause elevated blood sugar levels, which could negatively impact their kidneys.
- Remaining hydrated while on the road is important for truck drivers to maintain their health and safety.
- Truck drivers can track how often they go to the bathroom, and this will be a good indicator of whether or not they are hydrated.
Regularly Test Sugar and Insulin Levels
If truck drivers do not know they have diabetes, they cannot take any action to deal with it. This makes it essential for truck drivers to regularly check their blood sugar levels. Truck drivers can check their blood sugar levels regularly with devices prescribed by their doctor, and with timely and regular appointments with your physician. Additionally, truck drivers can also carry their own first aid box with a mobile device, which will allow truck drivers to check their blood sugar level while making long-distance trips.
Carry Medical Records
If you are diabetic, it is recommended to always carry your medical records with you let the physicians know about your medical history before providing any kind of treatment. This can be even more important if you are dealing with any kind of medical condition along with diabetes. Most health professionals provide print copies of the health records including current medications and lab results, which can be carried in the truck.
Alert A Family Member or Friend of Location
Truck drivers who suffer from diabetes should make a habit to alert someone the trust of their whereabouts. In the instance the truck is stopped for an extended period of time, this would indicate to the trucking company that there is an issue. If the truck driver has passed out at the wheel, the employer can some idea of the reason why the truck has stopped for so long.
Be Proactive
Living with diabetes on the road takes a lot of planning. Truck drivers who suffer from diabetes must ensure that they are always careful about their health, and that they have enough medication and supplies with them as they drive. The first aid kit must include a glucose meter and test strips, insulin, and bandages. It is also imperative that truck drivers make a plan for their snacks and meals in advance of their drive to keep their blood sugar level controlled.
Truck drivers are at risk of developing a number of diseases, and they all need to be managed. It is important for truck drivers to note that while these diseases are life-changing conditions, they can be prevented and managed by following essential steps and exercising diligence. Truck drivers should keep themselves informed about ways to prevent disease and recent laws for truck drivers.