Uncontrolled Diabetes

A 69 year old male, diabetic and hypertensive, sought ER consult last night due to sudden vomiting of 3 episodes associated with crampy abdominal pain. His initial symptoms just started a couple of minutes before going to the emergency room. At the ER, patient's blood glucose was taken and the CBG machine read it as "HI". An intial dose of bolus insulin was given via intravenous route and his blood sugar levels were monitored.

Diabetes mellitus or commonly termed as diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that gives a person a high sugar level. This is caused by decreased or no insulin production or resistance to insulin or a combination of both. Diabetes could also occur in pregnant patients which termed as Gestational Diabetes. Other patients could also develop diabetes when thay have had surgical procedures involving the pancreas. There are also diabetic emergencies like your diabetic ketoacidosis and your hyperglycemic hyperosmolar crisis.

A patient with an uncontrolled elevated blood sugar could have target organ damage. Diabetes can give you kidney damage, neuropathies, blindness, a risk factor for stroke and heart disease and many more. Studies have shown that for diabetic patients who have controlled blood sugar levels,end organ damage can be prevented or delayed. Its highly advisable for patient with diabetes to seek physcision consult, be vigilant in controlling their appetite, and be compliant with their medications as to prevent morbidity and even life threatening complications.