Glycemic emergencies
Altman, J.-J.
La Revue du Praticien 57(13): 1446-1454
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-2640 PMID: 18018543 Document Number: 613464
Emergency conditions such as hyper or hypoglycemic states are less and less frequent in industrialized countries, for type 1 and type 2 patients as well. Hospital admissions become the exception. Educational programs are the basis of this outstanding improvement. Type 1 diabetic patients are able to treat themselves initial ketonuria to prevent established keto-acidosis. The same patients, type 2, and their familial and professional environment learn how to diagnose, treat, prevent and not be afraid of hypoglycaemic attacks. This unpleasant symptomatic condition without real seriousness (as opposed to chronic asymptomatic but dangerous elevation of blood glucose) should led to less psycho-social impairment than before. For all patients, new research, new molecules and most of all tailored educational programs, give hope than therapeutic goals close to normoglycemia can be reached without the worries of hyper or hypoglycaemic states.