Hypoglycemia is one of the most common adverse effects of insulin, and prevention of hypoglycemia is one of the most important aims of glycemic control. The occurrence of hypoglycemia can be mild or severe, and in severe cases, it seriously affects the patient's quality of life. For all diseases, prevention is always greater than cure. The same is true for the prevention of hypoglycemic reactions in diabetic patients.

1. We try to eat regular meals in our lives, and if we exercise, we should add extra meals before exercise. If the amount of meals is reduced, then the dose of oral hypoglycemic drugs should also be reduced.

2. Smoking is known to be harmful to health, and in type 2 diabetes quitting smoking is necessary to improve metabolic markers, lower blood pressure and albuminuria, and to improve health. Alcohol affects the metabolism of many drugs that enter our body to varying degrees. Besides being a liver enzyme inducer, it can also directly cause hypoglycemia, so diabetic patients also need to avoid alcohol abuse and drinking on an empty stomach.

3. When you go out for activities, you need to bring along candies, cookies and other small foodstuffs in case of emergency and eat them immediately in case of hypoglycemia. In addition, it is recommended that elderly diabetic patients carry a patient contact card with family contact numbers and precautions to be taken in case of hypoglycemia, so as to gain the best time for treatment in case of emergency.

4. Regardless of whether it is insulin injection therapy or oral insulinotropic drugs, we should strictly follow the clinical advice of endocrinologists, starting with a small dose, gradually increasing the dose, and carefully adjusting the dose. If you experience more severe hypoglycemia or recurrent hypoglycemia, it is important to seek prompt medical attention and, under the guidance of a specialist, to readjust your glycemic control regimen and, in some cases, to reset your glycemic control targets. For a newly diagnosed diabetic patient without complications and at a younger age, the glycemic target should be considered to be close to the normal standard value; for an elderly diabetic patient in his 70s or 80s who has already developed complications, the glycemic target can be appropriately relaxed, otherwise, once hypoglycemia occurs, it will seriously affect the patient's quality of life and even life and health. Long-term chronic hypoglycemia can lead to intellectual decline and accelerate the onset of dementia. The consequences are even more unimaginable if the sudden situation is not treated in time.

The prevention of hypoglycemia is not only the responsibility of doctors, but also of our patients, who should start from themselves with strict self-discipline, regular diet and proper exercise to avoid the occurrence of hypoglycemia.

Ke Jing, Pharmacist-in-Charge, Shiyan People's Hospital

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