Hyponatraemia in clinical practice. Issue 980 (5th June 2007)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Biswas, M; Davies, J S
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 83:Issue 980(2007)
• Page Start: 373
• Page End: 378
• Publication Date: 2007-06-05
• Subjects: ADH, antidiuretic hormone -- AVP, arginine vasopressin -- CCF, congestive cardiac failure -- EABV, effective arterial blood volume -- SIADH, syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion; hyponatraemia -- sodium -- water balance -- AVP -- SIADH; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.2006.056515
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract : Hyponatraemia is defined as a serum sodium concentration below 135 mmol/l. It causes major diagnostic and management problems in practice. Hyponatraemic disorders are divided into euvolaemic, hypervolaemic and hypovolaemic. In the evaluation of the hyponatraemic patient, history taking should focus on identifying the potential cause, duration and symptomatology. Clinical examination should include assessment of volume status. Acute hyponatraemia of less than 48 h duration requires prompt correction. Treatment may involve hypertonic saline, isotonic saline and appropriate hormone replacement therapy depending on the aetiology. Chronic hyponatraemia should be treated with caution because of the risk of central pontine myelinolysis.