Diabetic Emergencies Flashcards
What blood glucose level causes autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptoms occur
Autonomic - 3.6
Neuroglycopenic - 2.7
False hypoglycaemia
Pts w consistently high glucose experience hypo symptoms at higher level than someone with good glycaemic control
Causes of hypoglycaemia in diabetics
Carbohydrate - insulin/sulfonylurea therapy
Exercise
Alcohol
Vomiting
Breastfeeding
Other medical problems
Medical problems that can cause hypoglycaemia in diabetics
Liver disease
Renal impairment
Hypoadrenalism
Hypothyroidism
Hypopituitarism
Insulinoma
Why is insulin dose often decreased in diabetics with progressive renal impairment
Kidneys not clearing insulin so more insulin available - can cause hypo
Autonomic symtoms of hypoglycaemia
Sweating
Shaking/tremor
Anxiety
Palpitations
Hunger
Nausea
Neuroglycopenic symptoms of hypoglycaemia
Confusion
Slurred speech
Visual disturbances
Drowsiness
Aggression
Hypoglycaemia unawareness
Loss of early warning signs of hypo
Often skip past autonomic signs straight to neuro signs
Causes of hypoglycaemia unawareness
Incr diabetes duration
Very tight glycaemic control
Autonomic neuropathy
How can hypoglycaemia unawareness be reversed
Hypo holiday
Hypo holiday
Strict hypo avoidance by relaxing glycaemic control using insulin analogies of an insulin pump to reverse hypo unawareness
Mild moderate and severe hypoglycaemia treatment
Mild - sugary drink / 5-7 glucose tablets / 3-4 tsp sugar in water
Moderate - 1-2 tubes glycogel bucally / jam honey treacle into cheek / IM glucagon
Severe - recovery position + 0.5-1mg IM glucagon / 75ml 20% IV glucose over 15mins / 150ml 10% glucose over 15 mins
How to tell between mild moderate and severe hypoglycaemia
Mild - conscious and Lucid
Mod - conscious but cannot self administer
Severe - unconscious
Risk of administering 50mls 50% IV glucose for severe diabetic hypo
Extravasion can cause chemical burns
What must be given post diabetic hypo once glucose 4+
Longer acting carb
When could the driving licence of a diabetic pt be revoked
Severe hypo requiring third party assisstance
Signs of nocturnal hypo in diabetics
Waking with Rebound hyperglycaemia
Headache/hangover feeling
Nocturnal hypo diagnosis and treatment
Glucose test during night or Continuous Glouces monitoring sensor
Analogue insulins, pre bed snack, change insulin time, insulin pump
DKA
State of absolute or relative insulin deficiency resulting in hyperglycaemia and an accumulation of ketoacidosis in the blood w subsequent metabolic acidosis
What blood glucose, pH, bicarbonate, serum ketones and urine ketones are usually seen in DKA
Glucose 14+
pH <7?3
Bicarbonate <15
Plasma ketones ~ >3
Urine ketones ~ >2\3
Which 2 substances are unbalanced in DKA pathogenesis
Excess Catecholamines
Insulin deficiency
How does catecholamine excess contribute to DKA
Promote triglyceride breakdown
Stim Gluconeogenesis
Which ketones accumulate in the body in DKA
3 OH butyric acid
Acetoacetic acid