Low blood sugar can be just as damaging for diabetes patients

A recent diabetes study has confirmed that the lowest blood sugar levels could be almost as dangerous as high blood sugar levels. Intense treatment resulting in blood glucose below normal was found to increase risks of death.
A research team at Cardiff examined 50,000 patients with type 2 diabetes to reach their conclusions. As well as an increased risk of death, the researchers highlighted the different death rates between patients on insulin, and those taking tablet to control their diabetes .
However, when it came to explaining the increased risk of death, the team noted various hypotheses. The study, which was published in the Lancet, has raised fears that it could be misconstrued.
Healthcare experts were quick to point out that blood glucose targets should always be agreed between patients with diabetes and their doctor or health professional. The head of research at Diabetes UK, Dr. Iain Framen, confirmed the boundaries of the study by commenting: “It is not clear what the causes of death were from the results reported. Furthermore, when it comes to the suggestion made in this research that insulin could increase the risk of death, we must consider important factors such as age, the duration of their diabetes and how the participants managed their condition.”