Emergency management of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

The majority of diabetic medical emergencies can be prevented by proper preoperative instructions. New or emergency patients unable to receive such instructions are at higher risk, occasionally necessitating the prudent use of various agents to treat hypoglycemia. The signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are reviewed, allowing one to make an educated differential diagnosis of the altered physiological state. Finally, some conditions are not preventable or treatable in the dental office, with notification of the emergency medical system being the indicated treatment choice.