Diabetes nurse urges people to look out for signs of Hypoglycaemia as part of national awareness week

A diabetes nurse is campaigning for raised awareness and safe management of hypoglycaemia in adults with diabetes, as part of a national awareness-raising drive.

Julie Moss, Practice Development Diabetes Nurse at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, is urging staff and patients alike to be on the lookout for the tell-tale signs of someone living with diabetes experiencing Hypoglycaemia.

Hypoglycaemia is when someone living with diabetes has a lower than normal level of blood glucose.

Mild cases can be self-managed, for example by drinking a carton of fruit juice, or eating a small number of jelly babies. In more severe cases though, a patient may need assistance to raise blood sugar levels.

Hypoglycaemia can present in many ways, with common physical signs being feeling shaky or disorientated, sweating, blurred vision or headaches. Other symptoms may include changes in emotion, tiredness, a lack of concentration or feeling anxious or irritability.

For the purpose of people with diabetes who are hospital inpatients, any blood glucose less than 4.0mmol/L should be treated with 15-20g of fast-acting glucose to raise levels.

Julie, who has teamed up with the national campaign to make resources on Hypoglycaemia available to all NHS staff across North Wales, urged everyone to consider the signs of Hypoglycaemia in people who are living with diabetes.

Julie said: “Wales has the highest prevalence of diabetes in the UK. We are all likely to know someone affected.

“Hypoglycaemia is the most common side effect of insulin and sulfonylureas in the treatment of diabetes and results from an imbalance between glucose supply, glucose utilisation and insulin present.

“For Hypo Awareness Week, we’re sharing knowledge and information to help people spot the right signs and take action”.

“Credit card info cards have been made, to help ward staff recognise and treat patients efficiently and effectively. A competition will run for all wards to showcase their knowledge of hypoglycaemia during Hypo Awareness Week.

“For NHS staff worried about someone in their care, it’s about asking if someone who’s behaving differently or showing symptoms of hypoglycaemia, whether they’re Ok, and organising a ‘finger prick’ capillary blood glucose test as needed.

“Once a hypo is recognised, we can treat it quickly and effectively. There are ‘hypo boxes’ on all the wards and departments throughout our hospitals, which contain the relevant treatment options and provides easy access.”

“I think most people have some knowledge of diabetes, but this campaign is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of Hypoglycaemia symptoms and safe management to help reduce risk.”

The national campaign package is available online at hypoawarenessweek.com/online-resource-pack/