Members of the public are being encouraged to become more aware of diabetes-related hypoglycaemia (hypos) - a fall in blood glucose levels that can cause a range of symptoms, including drunk-like disorientation, confusion and crankiness.

Those with diabetes who take insulin and certain medications known as sulphonylureas are at risk of experiencing a hypo. However the affected person may not even be aware they are having one, so it is essential that the general public becomes more aware of this.

Around 20,000 people in Ireland are living with type 1 diabetes and over 200,000 are living with type 2. While people with type 1 have to take insulin as treatment for their condition, some with type 2 also have to take insulin or sulphonylureas medications. However, it is unknown how many people with type 2 are taking these medications.

According to the national charity, Diabetes Ireland, up to 100,000 people are at risk of hypos and there are many causes, such as taking too much insulin, missing meals, exercising, drinking alcohol and even hot weather.

The charity noted that people with diabetes often fear hypos and can be slow to talk about this with healthcare professionals for fear of judgement or losing their driving licence. Currently, two severe hypos in one year raises questions about a person's ability to drive safely.

Diabetes Ireland and Novo Nordisk have launched a new campaign to raise awareness of hypos. The campaign points out that the risk of hypos can be reduced if people speak to professionals and take certain practical steps.

"Having repeated hypos can lead to hypo unawareness, whereby you stop feeling the symptoms making it more difficult to manage them and making them more serious. Don't fear hypos, learn to recognise them, manage them and control your diabetes," commented Diabetes Ireland's head of research and health promotion, Dr Anna Clarke.

The campaign includes four videos about hypos, which can be viewed here

More information on hypos is also available here