Home SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Hypoglycaemia common in diabetics

Hypoglycaemia common in diabetics

Hypoglycemia refers to a state produced by a lower than normal level of blood glucose in the cells. The survey was initiated to figure out the impact of mild to moderate blood sugar attacks

among the diabetic patients who were not given insulin [a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin affects the amount of glucose absorbed by the liver.] . 2000 people surveyed Diabetes UK--a charitable organisation in U.K. working for people with diabetes--conducted a survey of 2000 people with type 2 diabetes [Also called non-insulin dependent diabetes; a condition in which the pancreas produces so little insulin that the body cannot use the blood glucose as energy; can often be controlled through meal plans and physical activity plans, and diabetes pills or insulin.] . These subjects weren’t put on insulin. The results of the survey showed that more than half of people surveyed experienced at least one mild to moderate ‘hypo’ within a two-week period. Nearly 49 percent subjects said mild to moderate hypoglycaemic attacks affected their quality of life. It was also found that one in 10 reported having to take at least one day off work in the last year as a result of a mild to moderate blood sugar attack. One third of the subjects felt that their ability to carry out day-to-day tasks, including housework, social activities, sports activities and sleep was affected due to the hypoglycaemic episodes, while 35 percent of them reported that hypoglycaemia was affecting their sleep. Diabetes UK suggested that many patients may not be on the right medication. Those surveyed were not given insulin, and this could also have triggered hypoglycaemia, the researchers found. The results showed that increasing pressure to closely control patients' blood sugar level was partially responsible for the problem. Dr. Brian Karet, a General Practitioner in Bradford and a medical advisor for Diabetes UK, said, “Previous research around hypoglycaemia has tended to focus on the impact of severe hypoglycaemia. This survey, however, reveals the everyday impact of mild and moderate hypos among people with type 2 diabetes.” “It has shown that people who are not taking insulin are having regular hypos. These people need to be reassessed by their GP to ensure they are taking the appropriate medication,” he added. Other causes of hypoglycemia Some other causes which could lead to increased hypoglycemia episodes include taking too much diabetes medication, delayed or missed meals or snacks, not eating enough carbohydrate, doing more exercise than usual and drinking alcohol without food.