Attention, diabetics! Don’t try to resist panic and tremors, or you may suffer from hypokalemia.

Diabetes, as a chronic metabolic disease, is often accompanied by a variety of complications. Among them, hypokalemia is a common and easily overlooked problem in clinical practice. Today we will go on an adventure on a whim to uncover the wonderful world of hypokalemia.

Mr. Zhang, 60, from Changsha, has a 10-year history of diabetes. Recently, he has always felt weak, flustered, and occasionally had muscle cramps. He thought it was due to poor blood sugar control, but after going to the Hunan Provincial Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute (affiliated to the University of South China Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute) for a checkup, he found that the culprit was actually hypokalemia !

Under the doctor's guidance, Mr. Zhang adjusted his diet structure, added potassium-rich foods, and optimized his drug treatment, and his symptoms were quickly relieved.

What exactly is hypokalemia? Why are diabetic patients prone to hypokalemia? How to supplement potassium scientifically? Today we invite Yan Wei, director of the Second Department of Occupational Lung Diseases and associate chief physician of Hunan Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute (affiliated to the University of South China Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute), to talk with you.

1. What is hypokalemia?

Hypokalemia refers to a condition where the potassium ion concentration in the blood is lower than the normal range (usually 3.5-5.5 mmol/L). Potassium ions are key electrolytes for maintaining normal cell function and are involved in important physiological processes such as muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and heart rhythm regulation . When the blood potassium level is too low, it may lead to fatigue, arrhythmia, muscle weakness, and even life-threatening consequences.

2. Why are diabetic patients prone to low potassium?

1. Potassium is missing from your diet

Diabetic patients often reduce their intake of staple foods and fruits, which are the main sources of potassium. Long-term insufficient intake will lead to the gradual depletion of potassium reserves in the body, thereby causing hypokalemia.

2. Side effects of medication

▶Insulin: This "savior" of diabetes can sometimes act naughty. If used excessively, it will "convert" potassium ions outside the cells into the cells, causing a decrease in the potassium concentration in the blood.

▶Diuretics: They are a class of drugs that can increase urine excretion. Some diuretics will increase potassium ion excretion during diuresis , and will also promote the transfer of potassium ions into cells, leading to a decrease in blood potassium levels.

3. The battle for potassium in the body

When blood sugar is not well controlled in diabetic patients, they often have relative or absolute insulin deficiency, which causes potassium ions to escape from cells and cause potassium loss in cells. At the same time, osmotic diuresis caused by high blood sugar causes a large loss of potassium ions, leading to potassium deficiency in the body. In addition, diseases such as adrenal insufficiency and renal insufficiency can also affect the metabolic balance of potassium ions, further aggravating hypokalemia.

4. Other causes of potassium loss

▶Gastrointestinal loss: In cases of vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal drainage, potassium ions are lost in large quantities through the digestive tract.

▶Multiple organ failure: In critically ill patients, multiple organ failure may lead to potassium ion metabolism disorders.

▶Infection and stress: Under stressful conditions such as infection, trauma or surgery, potassium ions may be lost through urine or the digestive tract.

3. How to prevent hypokalemia?

1. Dietary adjustments

Hypokalemia can be effectively prevented and corrected by increasing the intake of potassium-rich foods. The following foods are recommended:

Vegetables: such as spinach, mushrooms, etc.

Beans: such as black beans, soybeans, etc.

Seafood: such as kelp, seaweed, etc.

Fruits: such as lemons, bananas, oranges, etc.

2. Lifestyle intervention

Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption: Smoking and drinking may affect electrolyte balance. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption is like casting a "purification magic" on the body, making the metabolism of potassium ions smoother.

Moderate exercise: Appropriate exercise can help improve metabolic status, but excessive exercise that leads to potassium ion loss should be avoided.

3. Disease monitoring and drug treatment

Regular monitoring: Diabetic patients should regularly monitor blood sugar, blood pressure and electrolyte levels, especially blood potassium concentration, so as to detect hypokalemia in time and take intervention measures.

Drug adjustment: For patients using diuretics or insulin, the drug dosage should be adjusted according to the blood potassium level, and potassium preparations should be supplemented if necessary.

4. Skin and psychological care

Skin care: People with diabetes often have dry skin and are at risk of infection. Regular skin care can help prevent complications.

Psychological support: Patients with chronic diseases are often accompanied by anxiety and depression. Psychological care and health education can help improve patients' treatment compliance and quality of life.

The Lantern Festival is coming

I wish you all the best and a happy reunion!

Friends with diabetes and hypokalemia

Remember to eat less high-sugar, high-calorie foods such as glutinous rice balls

Choose healthy foods rich in potassium

Have a warm and healthy holiday

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Hunan Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute (Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute affiliated to University of South China) Zhang Shuzhen Photo/Gong Chuqiao

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(Edited by Wx)