diabetes emergencies Flashcards
definition of a hypo
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definition of a severe hypo
a hypo that requires assistance
how many severe hypo’s before driving licence revoked in a year
2
causes of hypoglycaemia
- excess insulin administration
- overdose of other antidiabetic medication eg SU’s
- not eating enough carbs
- alcohol excess
- physiological stressors
- rarely (insulinomas, addison’s disease)
symptoms of hypoglycaemia
- adrenergic symptoms due to adrenaline release
- sweating
- trembling
- tachycardia
- anxiety
- hunger
- pallor
- nausea
- vomiting
- neuroglycopaenic symptoms
- confusion
- tiredness
- irritable
- visual disturb
- arrhythmias
- seizure
hypo management if mild
abcde
- if mild/conscious then give 15g glucose surgary drink wait 10 mins and reassess, repeat 3x then call dr
- give long acting carb after
hypo management if severe and unconscious
- establish IV access 10% dextrose 150ml or 80ml
- glucagon 1mg IM
why dont you get ketones in 2dm
as some insulin prevents uncontrolled lipolysis as only need a very small mount
causes of DKA AND HHS 4I’s
insufficient insulin
infection
infarction
intercurrent illness
inx of hyperglycaemia
- capillary prick
- ketones
- urinalysis
- urea and electrolytes
- arterial blood gases
- fbc
- bp and hr
- ecg for potassium signs
- cxr for cause and blood cultures
ecg signs of hyperkalaemia
flattened p wave and prolonged QRS segment, tall peaked t weaves and sign wave, shortened qt interval
3 parameters for dka
hyperglycaemia >11
ketones >3
acidosis ph <7.3 or bicarb <15
how can dka cause mortality
- children by cerebral oedema
- adults by hypokalaemia, ards, comorbid
who gets dka 1 or 2
usually 1
precipitation of dka
- intercurrent illness as need to increase insulin
- eating disorder
- non-compliance
- infection
- infarction
what causes ketosis
- insulin deficiency exacerbated by elevated catecholamines and other stress hormones that cause unrestratined lipolysis
- lots of FFA for hepatic ketogenesis
2 types of ketones
3-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate
symptoms of dka
- dehydration (osmotic diuresis)
- electrolyte loss (na and k)
- polyuria
- weight loss
- weakness
- N&V
- leg cramps
- blurred vision
- abdo pain : amylase raise
- kussmaul breathing and smell of acetone
- hypotension
- hypothermia
why do infected patients with dka get pyrexia
vasodilation secondary to acidosis