Week of focus on Hypo Awareness

FOR many people living with diabetes, hypos are a part of life. But they can be scary and dangerous, and can lead to blurred vision, confusion, seizures and, in severe cases, unconsciousness and coma. So, this week, to mark Hypo Awareness Week, Diabetes UK want to shine a spotlight on what hypos are and how to treat them.

Hypos (short for hypoglycaemia) can affect people with Type 1 diabetes, as well as many with Type 2 diabetes who use insulin or certain other diabetes medications.

A hypo is when the blood sugars drop too low, below 4mmol/l. It can be dangerous if not treated immediately, as it means the brain does not have enough energy to work properly. It can happen for various reasons, including taking too much insulin, missing a meal or miscalculating carbs.

Hypos must be treated with fastacting sugar, so blood sugar levels rise again. Good hypo treatments include sugary drinks (not diet versions), fruit juice, glucose tablets or gel or sweets such as jelly babies.

If someone tells you they have diabetes and are having a hypo, you can help them to find or get a sugary drink or some sweets, but if they become unconscious call an ambulance. If you have diabetes and you are experiencing frequent hypos, speak to your healthcare team.

Everyone has different hypo symptoms, but the most common are feeling shaky; feeling disorientated; sweating; being anxious or irritable; going pale; palpitations and a fast pulse; lips feeling tingly; blurred vision; feeling hungry; feeling tearful; tiredness; having a headache; or lack of concentration.

For more information, go todiabetes.org.uk/guide-todiabetes/complications/hypos. Peter Shorrick, Midlands and East

Regional head, Diabetes UK