Hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetics

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Hypoglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes

Oct 11, 2011

Hypoglycemia can catch many type 2s unaware.

UPDATE: The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/health-care/endocrinology/> is

addressing the issue rasied below by launching a program called " Blood Sugar

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/monitoring/blood-sugar/> Basics. " You

can access it on an interactive website at www.BloodSugarBasics.com

<http://www.bloodsugarbasics.com/>

Hypoglycemia

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/complications-and-care/low-blood-sugar

/> , or low

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/complications-and-care/low-blood-sugar

/> blood sugar, is commonly perceived as a concern for people with type 1

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/community/type-1-issues/> , not type

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/community/type-2-issues/> 2, diabetes

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/> . However, hypos are a potential risk for

anyone using insulin

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/medications/insulin/> , and

approximately 50 percent of people with type 2

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/community/type-2-issues/> diabetes

are insulin-dependent. Recent research suggests that many of these patients

are unaware of the risks and symptoms of hypoglycemia.

According to new survey data released at the American Association of

Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 20th Annual Meeting and Clinical Congress,

more than half (55 percent) of Americans with type 2 diabetes report they

have experienced hypoglycemia. What's more, many experienced it during

typical daily activities such as working (42 percent), exercising (26

percent), and driving (19 percent).

Recognizing symptoms like nervousness, sweating, or shakiness before

engaging in common activities is important to help reduce the risk of

serious consequences, such as fainting or loss of consciousness.

" While most people with diabetes recognize the importance of avoiding high

blood sugar, they may not know the risks of extremely low blood sugar, " says

Farhad Zangeneh, MD, FACP, FACE, the medical director and endocrinology

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/health-care/endocrinology/>

consultant at the Endocrine, Diabetes and Osteoporosis Clinic (EDOC) and

member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) Board

of Directors. " Skipping meals, drinking too much alcohol, and changing

exercise <http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/fitness/exercise/> routines

can all contribute to low blood sugar; patients may also need to adjust

their medications and should talk with their doctor about any episodes of

low blood sugar. "

The online survey of more than 2,500 adults living with type 2 diabetes was

designed by the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) and supported by

Merck. Its results indicated the following:

.. 27 percent of type 2s were unable to name the leading cause of

hypoglycemia

.. 35 percent did not know the diabetes medications that can cause hypos

.. 46 percent were not aware that unusual increased exercise can cause hypos

.. 52 percent were concerned about repeat episodes of hypoglycemia, but did

not know that the most common symptoms are dizziness (22 percent) and

shakiness (17 percent), and 39 percent incorrectly thought that thirst was

the primary symptom of hypoglycemia.

.. 6 percent of patients who responded to the online survey had been treated

for hypoglycemia in the emergency room.

Love , who has lived with type 2 diabetes for six years, says,

" I had to do my own research to find out that it's crucial to have a blood

glucose that fluctuates less than 50 to 60 mg/dL (my ideal blood glucose

range is 70 to 110 mg/dL), and it's the wide fluctuations (or highs and

lows) that we need to worry about. " Dr. Zangeneh agrees, saying, " Low is bad

and high is bad. What we want is for our patients to have a nice flight from

the East coast to the West coast with no turbulence. "

The endocrinologists in the American College of Endocrinology are very

concerned about the lack of knowledge that type 2s have about hypoglycemia.

They are addressing the issue by launching a program called " Blood Sugar

Basics, " an educational program with an interactive website. The website

includes fact pages that help people with diabetes, their families, and

their loved ones learn about the importance of understanding and managing

low and high blood sugar. Dr. Zangeneh, who is on the Blood Sugar Basics

board of directors, reports that the website is user-friendly and will

empower patients with knowledge. " Education, education, education, " he says.

" The best way to treat a low is to avoid it. You need to be an ongoing

student when you have diabetes. "

Sources:

1. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/28/12/2948.full.pdf

2. Linekin, P. Present Diabetes, AACE Study::Patients with diabetes are

uninformed about hypoglycemia. Retrieved from:

http://www.presentdiabetes.com/etalk/AACE-StudyPatients-with-t3934.html#-1

_____

Categories:Blood

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/monitoring/blood-sugar-basics/> Sugar

Basics, Hypoglycemia

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/complications-and-care/hypoglycemia/>

, Hypoglycemia

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/complications-and-care/hypoglycemia-un

awareness/> Unawareness, Insulin

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/medications/insulin/> , Low

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/complications-and-care/low-blood-sugar

/> Blood Sugar, Type

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/complications-and-care/type-2-diabetes

/> 2 Diabetes