Self-awareness in diabetes: using body cues, circumstances, and strategies.
This research was the first phase of a study designed to develop and pilot test an educational program to increase self-awareness of salient body cues in adults with Type 1 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to identify (1) the cues, sensations, and circumstances that people with diabetes and their families associate with hypoglycemia, euglycemia, and hyperglycemia; and (2) the types of strategies that people with diabetes use to tune in to body cues and sensations.



A series of four focus group sessions were held at monthly intervals with four female participants and four family members. These sessions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim.



Participants described the existence of unique as well as usual body cues for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia and the circumstances associated with these cues. Subjective and objective strategies were identified for tuning into these body cues and sensations.



People with diabetes should be encouraged to identify their own body cues that signify different levels of glycemia because these personal cues may be different than classical textbook symptoms. Even people with hypoglycemia unawareness may recognize unique cues that replace the autonomic ones they have lost.
Hernandez
C A
CA
The School of Nursing, University  of Windsor, Ontario, Canada (Dr Hernandez)|At the time of this research, Dr Hernandez was a Career Scientist of the Ontario Ministry of Health, Health Research and Development Pro­ gram, University of Western Ontario.
Bradish
G I
GI
The Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, London, Canada (Mss Bradish and Rybansky)
Rodger
N W
NW
The Depart­ment of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, St. Joseph's Health Centre, Lon­ don, Canada (Dr Rodger)
Rybansky
S I
SI
The Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, London, Canada (Mss Bradish and Rybansky)
D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D003463:Cues; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology*; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D012677:Sensation