This week in the UK, a new educational campaign is being launched in order to educate individuals who live with type 2 diabetes on how to control and prevent their blood sugar levels dropping too low (hypoglycemia).
The campaign, titles “Are You Running On Empty”, is a collaboration between MSD Diabetes, Diabetes Nursing Group, the AA (Automobile Association) and TREND.
Its goal is to increase individualss awareness of hypoglycemia symptoms as, well as pointing out what they can do to reduce their risk of hypoglycemia – in addition to seeking help for their GP in promptly if they need to.
Although individuals are often under the impression that people who suffer with type 2 diabetes should keep their blood glucose levels as low as possible, hypoglycemia (or hypos) is a never-ending worry among individuals with type 2 diabetes.
According to one investigation, 38% of 342 people examined reported symptoms of hypoglycemia in one year that caused interruption of activities, of which 7% felt they needed assistance or medical attention. In addition, each year in the UK, 5,000 individuals experience severe hypoglycemia and require hospital admission.
Even though in several cases hypoglycemia is manageable, an investigation conducted by MSD among 500 UK healthcare professionals (HCPs), as part of the campaign, revealed that 54% of healthcare professionals in London believed that individuals did not want to discuss hypoglycemia for fear that their driving license may be revoked.
Leading healthcare professionals, Dr. Sarah Jarvis and Dr. Rosemary Leonard support the campaign. Its launch comes after announcements from the DVLA relating to alterations in their medical standards which must be meet by individuals who have a UK driving license for personal or commercial vehicles. These changes also include the number of hypoglycemic events a diabetes patient is “allowed” each year.
Following a change in legislation last year, all individuals with diabetes treated with either insulin or oral antidiabetic agents who hold an ordinary diving license for cars and motorcycles (Group 1 drivers) must not have had more than one hypoglycemic even in the previous 12 months in order to keep their driving license.
New legislation that came into force on the 15th November 2011 will now allow those with type 1 or 2 diabetes who take insulin to apply for a heavy goods vehicles or passenger service vehicles license (Group 2 license), if the they follow similar strict criteria for controlling and monitoring their blood sugar levels.
Andrew Howard, Head of Road Safety at the AA explains:
“I would stress that anyone suffering from type 2 diabetes seeks advice from their GP about how the condition might affect their driving.”
Dr. Rosemary Leonard, said:
“The educational campaign wants to encourage people with type 2 diabetes to learn the symptoms of hypoglycemia, which is automatically provided to people with type 1 diabetes taking insulin. The results of the survey show that people with type 2 diabetes need more help knowing what they can do to reduce their risk of hypos, and for them to be able to seek advice, without fear, about them from their doctor.”
Research for the campaign underlines the problem healthcare professional face in discussing how important hypoglycemia is with patients with type 2 diabetes. Even though 86% of GPs in London surveyed reported that they proactively ask their patients about hypoglycemia or the possibility of an hypoglycemic event, 71% of respondents claimed that there was a barrier to meaningful discussio,n due to the individual’s lack of awareness and false beliefs regarding the condition and its symptoms. According to 79% of respondents, lack of awareness of the condition is a risk factor for an event.
Debbie Hicks, Diabetes Specialist Nurse and co-Chair of TREND, said:
“In my opinion, there is a high level of confusion and misconception relating to the DVLA guidance amongst people with diabetes. This means that people are much less likely to talk to their doctor about hypoglycemia for fear of losing their license and so do not always appreciate that hypoglycemia is, in fact, a very manageable treatment side effect and not something that has to suffer in silence.”
There are 2.61 million people in the UK who live with diabetes type 2. Most individuals know about issues related to “hyperglycemia” (high blood sugar); low blood glucose levels can cause issues too. If left unmanaged low blood sugar can result in drivers having to stop due to the effects, such as blurred vision, and loss on consciousness in severe cases.
The risk of developing hypoglycemia can be reduced by following certain steps, i.e., eating regularly and consuming more carbohydrates before and after engaging in physical activity, as well as always having glucose in order to treat the condition quickly or where necessary, and discussing their medication with their GP.
The campaign includes information leaflets for those with type 2 diabetes regarding hypoglycemia – this can be downloaded from the AA website. AA members will receive information through the AA member’s e-newsletter. (Note: in this text, AA refers to the Automobile Association, and not Alcoholics Anonymous)
The campaign has been initiated and sponsored by MSD Diabetes, together with TREND, the AA, Dr Sarah Jarvis and Dr Rosemary Leonard.
Written by Grace Rattue