Hyperglycemic and Hypoglycemic Crises

METABOLIC abnormalities involving glucose metabolism are the most common endocrine dysfunctions seen in internal medicine. We will cover the three most important abnormalities of glucose metabolism that constitute medical emergencies. As a general rule, it is stressed that in all comatose patients where the diagnosis is not known, the blood glucose level should be measured.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis 

Clinical Presentation.—  Diabetic ketoacidosis is a state of severe insulin deficiency characterized by hyperglycemia, systemic acidosis, and hyperketonemia. The diabetic patient is unable to incorporate glucose into metabolic pathways because of insulin deficiency. There is also an increased mobilization of fat and protein stores secondary to insulin deficiency. The products of these stores subsequently accumulate in the form of the ketoacids. The resulting systemic acidosis and osmotic diuresis cause severe derangements in electrolyte and acid-base composition as the obligatory renal loss of glucose and ketoacids results in increased cation excretion. The fluid loss