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Diabetes - Adult Type II (Expert Forum)
hypo unaware
Answered by
Anita Ramsetty, MD - GeneralEndocrinology, Diabetes Type 1, Diabetes Type 2, Thyroid Disorders, AdrenalInsufficiency, CF-Related Diabetes
Endocrine Care Group
Questions in the Adult Type II Diabetes forum are answered by Dr. Anita Ramsetty. Topics covered include Type 2 Diabetes, blood glucose monitoring, diabetes and heart disease, diabetes and pneumonia, diabetes and pregnancy,
diabetes and vision problems, diabetes and wound healing, diabetic complications, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and insulin.
hypo unaware
by bobswife570, Apr 01, 2008 06:58AM
my husband has had diabetes since 15 and is usually well controlled but now at the age of 52 he is more and more unaware of hypo symptoms and is getting difficult for me to deal with bcause he refuses to have something to eat when i can see he going low.he works away during the week and says he is always fine but with the weekend change of routine this is when unaware hypos happen.the hospital have looked at his blood sugar monitor and have told him to try to stop weekend 3s and lower happening but without success.any advise as i am getting at my wits end as to know how to deal with him and just have to resort to squirting glucose gelinto his mouth til he able to drink or eat .as he does a lot of driving he is also worried that he will lose his licence and therefore his job.
Doctor's Answer
by Anita Ramsetty, MD, Apr 02, 2008 02:54PM
, Apr 02, 2008 02:54PM
Hi,
Thank you for writing on behalf of your husband. This is indeed a serious situation, and puts both your husband and other people at risk. It is common for people to develop what is called "hypoglycemic unawareness" after having diabetes for a long time and recurrent lows--their bodies get used to being low so the usual alarms do not go off anymore. It is extremely dangerous because very low levels can happen without warning and lead to passing out or seizures.
Please continue to stress to your husband how serious this is and that harm can come to him and others. If he continues to ignore the warnings, you may need to get assistance from his doctor or other family members to take a strong stand(possibly take his license away), because this could become very very serious.
take care.
Thank you for writing on behalf of your husband. This is indeed a serious situation, and puts both your husband and other people at risk. It is common for people to develop what is called "hypoglycemic unawareness" after having diabetes for a long time and recurrent lows--their bodies get used to being low so the usual alarms do not go off anymore. It is extremely dangerous because very low levels can happen without warning and lead to passing out or seizures.
Please continue to stress to your husband how serious this is and that harm can come to him and others. If he continues to ignore the warnings, you may need to get assistance from his doctor or other family members to take a strong stand(possibly take his license away), because this could become very very serious.
take care.
