[Emergencies in diabetic patients]

In this article emergencies are presented from the view of the practitioner. At first, hypoglycemias caused by insulin and sulfonylurea are analyzed, emphasizing in particular the necessity for surveillance of hypoglycemias due to sulfonylurea drugs in hospital. Hyperosmolar and ketoacidotic decompensations are reviewed and the limits of the ambulatory care stressed. Finally, some less classical but nevertheless frequent situations like podiatric, ophthalmologic and neurologic urgencies of diabetics are described.