Diabetes.co.uk video receives 2.1 million views, raising diabetes awareness

[DCUK NewsBot]

A recent video posted on the Diabetes.co.uk Facebook page received over 2.1 million views - a new record for the site and for diabetes media in general. Its popularity could mean big things for diabetes awareness. Although the video is light-hearted, its success - it has been shared over 25,000 times - suggests that it touched on the common frustrations associated with hypoglycemia. Clearly, it is a problem people can relate to. The response to the video raises issues of diabetes awareness - in this case, the unseen difficulties of controlling blood glucose levels. Blood glucose control, of course, is a serious problem. People with diabetes need to be aware of the symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and they need to know how to correct unstable blood sugars. Over time, repeated exposure to low blood glucose levels can lead to hypo unawareness, a state in which people with diabetes are unable to tell that their blood glucose levels are low. The consequences of hypo unawareness can be severe. To address the problem, Diabetes.co.uk designed the Hypo Awareness Program, a free educational course. Participants sign up to the program, then read through several modules of hypoglycemia information. Finally, participants take a test to determine their hypo awareness. The Hypo Awareness Program allows participants to see their hypo awareness improve immediately. The graded test at the end provides instant feedback. Through community-based successes such as these, Diabetes.co.uk continues to grow as a popular voice for diabetes awareness.

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