Reduce your risk of a hypoglycaemia attack by controlling your diabetes
In light of Hypo Awareness Week (29 Sept – 5 Oct), London Bridge Hospital www.londonbridgehospital.com has rolled out its campaign to raise awareness of hypoglycaemia (a medical emergency that involves an abnormally diminished content of glucose in the blood).
Diabetes Nurse Specialist Tembi Chinaire at London Bridge Hospital is heading up this campaign by giving talks to help staff recognise the symptoms.
Following the recent medical research which revealed that people who have a history of extreme hypoglycaemia episodes are more at risk of suffering a heart attack, we decided to obtain the top 10 facts associated with this diabetes-related medical condition, focusing on how to spot the symptoms and manage your diabetes so as to reduce your risk of a hypoglycaemic episode.
1. The (IDF) International Diabetes Federation estimates that in 2013 more than 382 million people were suffering from diabetes. In addition to this, the number of people developing Type 2 diabetes worldwide is expected to rise to 592 million by 2035. This is an increasing global medical epidemic.
2. Almost a quarter of a million people were diagnosed with diabetes last year in the UK alone – and an estimated 7.4 per cent of England’s population live with the condition.
3. The main symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes include: passing urine more often than usual, especially at night, increased thirst, extreme tiredness, unexplained weight loss, general itching or regular episodes of thrush, slow healing of cuts and wounds and blurred vision.
4. There are two types of diabetes and these are usually classified as Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. In Type 1, signs and symptoms are usually very obvious and develop very quickly, typically over a few weeks - although symptoms can be quickly relieved once treated and under control. In Type 2 diabetes the signs and symptoms may not be obvious as the condition develops slowly over a period of years and may only be picked up in a medical check up. Again symptoms can be managed once treated and under control.
5. In order to confirm the diagnosis, a GP would perform a series of tests including a blood test and/or urine test.
6. A thorough understanding of the condition along with knowledge of how to manage the symptoms plays a major role in the impact on the development of future diabetes complications. A diabetes clinic along with a diabetes nurse or diabetiologist can provide advice regarding this.
7. Diet – a healthy balanced diet including wholegrain foods and cereals is a good place to start. Knowing how much carbohydrate, protein and fat are in foods can be helpful in planning your meals.
8. Medications: eventually it’s likely that the diabetes sufferer will need medication such as pills or insulin, so a good first step is to learn about common diabetes medicine.
9. Know your ABCs. There are three numbers that are particularly important for diabetes care; HBA1c which is your average blood glucose over a three month period, blood pressure which should be below 130/80 mmHg to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, and cholesterol tests should be taken once a year or more often if you are trying dietary changes or cholesterol-lowering medication.
10. Some additional simple steps will also help to protect your heart through diabetes such as exercise - 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Maintain a healthy weight by managing your portion sizes and gain and share support by attending a group education course or join Diabetes UK.