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Metabolic Decompensation

Meaning

Metabolic Decompensation is a severe, acute deterioration in the body’s homeostatic mechanisms responsible for maintaining a stable internal environment, specifically concerning energy and acid-base balance. This life-threatening clinical state is characterized by a profound failure to regulate metabolic processes, commonly seen in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus as diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state. It signifies a point where the body’s compensatory mechanisms, such as increased breathing to expel acid, are overwhelmed by the underlying pathological imbalance.