Hypoglycemia prevention and treatment in the ambulatory care setting

Hypoglycemia, which is a major barrier to the optimal management of diabetes, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Educating patients with diabetes about the prevention, early identification, and appropriate treatment of hypoglycemia is a critically important component of individualized diabetes care. Hypoglycemia prevention involves an understanding of the impact of diet, exercise, and medications on hypoglycemia risk. Treatment of hypoglycemia includes administration of oral carbohydrates for the patient who is conscious and administration of glucagon in the setting of severe hypoglycemia. Advances in glucose monitoring and the availability of newer glucagon formulations provide additional intervention options for the management of hypoglycemia.