Are symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia different in the frail elderly than in younger patients?
Both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia often present with atypical symptoms in the frail elderly. Neurological symptoms of hypoglycemia such as confusion or lethargy are more common that autonomic symptoms such as palpitations or anxiety. Typical symptoms of hypoglycemia in younger people (shaking, sweating, irritability, dizziness, headache, nausea, dry mouth) may be uncommon the frail elderly. In the case of hyperglycemia, the elderly may not exhibit increased thirst or complain of urinary frequency or polyuria. • Should fingerstick blood glucose tests be performed on patients who have altered mentation or who just do not “seem right”? Facilities may wish to consider incorporating blood glucose testing in the assessment of patients with altered mentation and in patients who have a change of condition. • What tests need to be performed in order to determine whether a patient has diabetes? If it is suspected that a patient has undiagnosed diabetes, the physician may wish to order a fastin
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