Emergency medicine clinics of North America
-
Sodium imbalances are a common occurrence in the emergency department. Although recognition and diagnosis are relatively straightforward, discovering the cause and management should be approached systematically. ⋯ Treatment rapidity depends on severity of symptoms with the most rapid treatment occurring in only the severely symptomatic. Overcorrection has dire consequences and must be approached in a careful and systematic fashion in order to prevent these devastating consequences.
-
Endocrine diseases are rare and can present very subtly in the neonatal period. Most are diagnosed using newborn screening in the United States; however, some infants may present with false negatives or more subtle findings. Endocrine etiologies should be considered during the management of critically ill infants. This article will give an overview of endocrine emergencies encountered in the neonatal period, including disorders of glucose metabolism, thyroid disorders, adrenal disorders, and pituitary disorders.
-
This review will discuss the importance and homeostasis of calcium and magnesium in the human body, as well as the implications and treatment of disordered calcium and magnesium. With calcium and magnesium often considered to be the "forgotten cations" in medicine, it is our hope that this review will lead providers to evaluate for and effectively manage these electrolyte disorders in the emergency department.
-
Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Nov 2023
ReviewHypothyroidism-Etiologies, Evaluation, and Emergency Care.
Thyroid hormone affects every human organ system and is a vital component of metabolism. Common and easily treatable, hypothyroidism does not usually require emergency management. However, myxedema coma is the decompensated form of hypothyroidism and can be life threatening if not treated expediently.
-
Patients with alcohol use disorders are commonly identified and managed in the emergency department. Although the alcohol-intoxicated patient has a high risk for significant injury and diseases, the majority will be allowed to sober in the emergency department and can be discharged without incident. However, there are metabolic derangements in these patients, such as alcoholic ketoacidosis, Wernicke-Korsakoff, and potomania that very commonly present similar to intoxication and can be misdiagnosed by emergency clinicians.