Dr Jen Nash, Diabetes and Wellbeing, book extract on handling hypos

Diabetes and Wellbeing bookcoverGetting sweaty, having slurred speech, shaking uncontrollably or being confused may not seem too bad in the whole scheme of things, but having them occur at a job interview or important work meeting or while driving home at night or on a romantic date may not be so pleasant!

Remember that anxiety and phobias have evolutionary value. We are hard-wired to engage in actions that ensure our survival and survival can be defined broadly. We want to avoid things that will lead to a possible rejection or isolation from others and acting oddly while in the midst of a hypo is one example of such things

Hypos can be dangerous but ordinarily people can put their potential fear into perspective and not let it change or alter their behaviour too much. However some individuals having just one frightening episode of hypoglycaemia can lead to increased anxiety about it happening again. This can lead to other behaviours which in turn may lead to further difficulty in managing diabetes, such as running blood glucose levels too high in order to avoid hypos, eating more than is needed in an attempt to keep blood glucose levels elevated or restricting activities where hypoglycaemic episodes would be more challenging to deal with, such as driving, exercising or travelling on public transport.

She then suggests five strategies for overcoming your difficulties with hypoglycaemia. You’re going to have to buy the book to read them!

Get the book! Claim 20% discount by entering the promo code NASH1 at the checkout HERE.

 This news item first appeared in our free-to-receive online magazine. Go to the top of this page to sign up – we just need your email address.


Open publication

Desang Diabetes Magazine is our free-to-receive digital journal (see below). We cover diabetes news, diabetes management equipment (diabetes ‘kit’ such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring equipment) and news about food suitable for a diabetic diet including a regular Making Carbs Count column. We just need your email address to subscribe you (it really is free, and you can easily unsubscribe should you wish to).

Sign me up!
Open publication
Buy a Desang kitbag

See our range of kitbags