Emergency medicine clinics of North America
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Aug 2005
ReviewAltered mental status due to metabolic or endocrine disorders.
The differential diagnoses for mental status alteration is broad. Endocrine or metabolic causes for emergency department patients who present with lethargy, anxiety, psychosis, and seizures should be considered. Using the complaint-based approach, this article discusses some of the often less obvious etiologies for these presentations related to endocrine and metabolic disease states.
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Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute metabolic complication of diabetes characterized by hyperglycemia, ketosis and acidosis. The pathophysiology of DKA is reviewed and diagnostic and therapeutic modalities are discussed in the context of the currently available evidence. Complications associated with DKA are often a result of the treatment itself, and these issues are also discussed.
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Although bones are normally thought of as supporting structures that fracture when one falls, bone is actually a very active metabolic organ. It is vital in the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism, magnesium storage, and in buffering metabolic acido-sis. Bone and mineral metabolism and some of their disorders are presented in this article.
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Pain measurement and relief is complex and should be a priority for prehospital providers and supervisors. The literature continues to prove that we are poor pain relievers, despite the high prevalence of pain in the out-of-hospital patient population. Lack of education and research, along with agent availability, controlled substance regulation, and many myths given credence by health care providers, hinder our ability to achieve adequate pain assessment and treatment in the prehospital setting. ⋯ Nonpharmacologic therapies must also be taught and reinforced as important adjuncts to pain management. Finally, formation of quality improvement pain programs that evaluate patient outcomes and provider practice patterns will help EMS systems understand the pain management process and outline areas for improvement. Only through emphasis on pain education, research, protocol and program monitoring development will the quality of pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting improve.
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · May 2005
ReviewComplementary and alternative pain therapy in the emergency department.
One primary reason patients go to emergency departments is for pain relief. Understanding the physiologic dynamics of pain, pharmacologic methods for treatment of pain, as well CAM therapies used in treatment of pain is important to all providers in emergency care. Asking patients about self-care and treatments used outside of the emergency department is an important part of the patient history. ⋯ Adding nondrug therapies of physical therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, TENS, hypnosis, biofeedback, psychoanalysis, and others can complete the conventional picture. Adding in simple mind/body therapies, touch therapies, acupuncture, or others may be appropriate in select cases, and depending on the circumstances, may effect and enhance a conventional pain management program. Armed with an understanding of pain dynamics and treatments, practitioners can better meet patient needs, avoid serious side effects, and improve care when addressing pain management in the emergency department.