Approach to the Hypoglycemic Patient

Hypoglycemia is commonly encountered in the emergency department. Patients can present with a myriad of symptoms and its presentation can mimic other more serious diagnoses. Despite the relative ease of its management, clinicians often miss the diagnosis or mismanage it even when discovered. Glucose is an important energy source for the brain and failing to recognize hypoglycemia or mismanaging it can lead to permanent neurologic disability or death. Although it is important to replenish glucose in a rapid fashion, it is equally important to discover and manage the underlying etiology to prevent further episodes of hypoglycemia.