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Diabetes
and Medical ID
 While it's understandable that many
with diabetes value their privacy, and are
reluctant to wear a Medical ID that labels them, healthcare professionals and
emergency responders like police officers and paramedics all agree that wearing Medical ID jewelry saves lives.
The stigma surrounding medical alert
jewelry is unfortunate and risky for those who choose not to wear their
medical id. However, as more and more athletes like Lance Armstrong and celebrities like
young Nick Jonas (from the Jonas Brothers Band) acknowledge their
illnesses and overcome the challenges they present in the public eye, Americans with
chronic illness are accepting the notion that illness doesn't imply weakness; in fact,
they're discovering that overcoming health challenges builds character and
demonstrates perseverance. It takes courage and endurance to live with a
chronic illness. And one step toward responsible management of diabetes is
to wear Medical ID jewelry.
When choosing a medical id, it's
important to consider emergency personnel’s standard
operating practices. If a person is unconscious, paramedics are trained to
perform a primary head-to-toe check for blocked airways and pulse. This
initial check includes a hand check of the wrists and neck. Sometimes,
paramedics may check a person’s wallet for a medical card; however, treating
wounds is immediate, and rummaging through a wallet is often a practice of last resort,
or completely overlooked. Therefore, a medical id bracelet or medical
alert pendant should be worn as an everyday accessory.
In 2007, Doug Burns, the reigning Mr. Universe, was
severely beaten by police at a movie theater when they mistook an episode of
low blood sugar for intoxication. The unfortunate incident emphasized the
need for police officers and security personnel to be trained in how to
distinguish between hypoglycemia and intoxication; however, it also
pointed up the need for individuals to identify their medical condition to
first responders. As an athlete, Burns is disciplined
and precise about managing his blood sugar level, so if a debilitating
hypoglycemic reaction could happen to him, it can happen to anyone. Rather than gamble with
your health and hope for the best, taking pro-active measures such as
wearing a medical id bracelet is essential for a person with diabetes, since symptoms
of hypoglycemia mimic other problems.
For 21-year-old professional
surfer Scott Dunton, diabetes hasn't stopped him from traveling the
world and competing in surfing competitions. In fact, he ranks 119th
in the world, out of 800 competitive surfers. One of Dunton’s missions is
to spread the word to children and teens that having diabetes doesn’t mean
life’s joys come to a halt, and that medical id
jewelry doesn't need to be cumbersome or embarrassing. At Sticky Jewelry, we
carry
sports band medical id bracelets and waterproof medical id's that are
perfect for athletic activities because, like Dunton, we
believe that responsible management of your illness shouldn't hinder you
from living up to your full athletic potential. Your medical id
shouldn't get in the way of your lifestyle -- it should enhance the way you
live by providing you with peace of mind.
Next:
Fashion forward medical id bracelets |
