Question

What are alert for a patient that has diabetes.

Answer 1

Alert for a patient that has diabetes -

• Hypoglycemia - it occurs when it is less than 70mg/dl or blood glucose levels drops rapidly from an elevated levels.

Early symptoms of hypoglycemia are - hunger, nervousness, palpitations, sweating, tachycardia, confusion, headache, numbness of the lips and tongue, disoriented behaviour, loss of consciousness.

• Hyperglycemia - if ht post prandial sugar levels is more than 120mg/dl or HbsAg level is less than 7%.

Early symptoms of hyperglycemia are- polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight loss, blurred vision, slow wound healing, vaginal infection, fatigue.

• Diabetic ketoacidosis- seen commonly in type1 diabetes. It is an emergency condition. The blood glucose will be more than 250 - 300mg/dl.

Early symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DK) are- ketosis which is exhibited as kussumal's respiration, acidosis exhibited as fruity breath, hyperglycemia, dehydration.

• Hyperglycemia hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS)- it is commonly seen in type 2 diabetes. Ketosis and acidosis doesn't occur due to the presence of small amount of insulin prevents the break down of fats for energy.

Early symptoms are of HHNS are- low grade fever, fatigue, dehydration and electrolyte loss, seizures, loss of consciousness.

• Other complications that gradually occurs are- diabetic retinopathy which can lead to permanent blindness, diabetic nephropathy which can lead to renal failure, diabetic nephropathy which can lead to paresthesia, stroke and death, parasthesia can lead to foot ulcers

Summary- patients with diabetes should be alert about the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, DK, HHNS, which are life threatening and therefore should take appropriate actions as soon as possible.