title: Emergencies in diabetic patients in the primary care setting.
abstract: The diabetic patient poses special problems in the primary care setting. Symptoms that are relatively unimpressive on initial presentation, such as polyuria or dizziness, may actually be the beginning of serious medical complications. With careful evaluation and follow-up, some patients, such as those who have mild hypo- and hyperglycemia and certain infections, can be managed as an outpatients; however, many cardiovascular conditions, such as cardiac ischemia or limb-threatening peripheral vascular disease, require immediate transfer to an acute care facility. In all situations, close monitoring of glucose levels during all phases of care--in the office, in the hospital and at home--is essential to achieving target glycemic control and rapid detection of clinical conditions that often first manifest as alterations in glycemic control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Education Office, Room N3E09, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. swolfsth@medicine.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Susan D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Wolfsthal
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manno
authors.forename: Evonne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fontanilla
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D011320:Primary Health Care
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose