Diabetes Treatment Review

Impaired hypoglycemia awareness in people with diabetes

Daniella Otway of the Diabetic Hypoglycemia Editorial Team

Diabetic Hypoglycemia June 2014, Volume 7, Issue 1: page 20-24

Impaired hypoglycemia awareness (IHA) occurs in approximately 20% of people with type 1 diabetes and is associated with compromised safety in attempting to achieve optimal diabetes control, and reduced quality of life. Understanding why people with diabetes who are exposed to recurrent hypoglycemia develop IHA is currently under study. This review describes recent trials that have been conducted to try to improve or reverse IHA, including those using continuous glucose monitoring technology and educational initiatives. The profound impact that IHA has on the person with diabetes and their family is also described.

Keywords: continuous glucose monitoring, education, hypoglycemia, impaired hypoglycemia awareness